Are you a visual person?

I am.

Sometimes I just need someone to SHOW me how to do something. Seems like with YouTube and social media, video is the quickest way to thoroughly explain a topic.

And what better topic than steak? Filet mignon, to be exact.

The corporate chef for The Kansas City Steak Company has put together a video that provides tips on preparing their #1 best seller – the filet mignon.

It’s tender. It’s juicy. It’s buttery soft. But cook it wrong and it’ll taste like a hockey puck.

Trust me.

These steaks are delicate so you want to treat your filet with tender loving care. That way, it’ll love you right back.

Like it wrapped with bacon? Done.

Marinated? Check.

Bone-in or without? Sure!

So many choices. And when done right, this cut is brimming with flavor and leaves a lasting impression. It’s cut from the beef tenderloin roast and it’s really special.

So, what are the chef’s main tips?

1. Make sure it’s aged 28 days and the fat has been hand removed. That way, the beautiful beef shines through.
2. Check to ensure it’s well marbled for optimal flavor.
3. Thaw frozen steaks overnight in your refrigerator.
4. Take them out about a half hour before and let them come up to room temperature. That will allow them to cook evenly on the grill.
5. Use a clean, hot grill cranked up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. A high, dry heat works best with a low fat content steak like filet mignon.
7. It’s recommended to cook these steaks to medium rare for best results. Do not overcook. (Remember the hockey puck?)
8. Season all sides of the filet mignon so the natural flavor is brought out in every single bite.
9. Keep one side of the grill hot and the other side on medium. Halfway through, move the steaks to the medium side so that they continue to cook but don’t burn on the outside.
10. Cook to an internal temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer in the center of the steak to test. Don’t ever check with a knife.
11. Let the steaks rest on a platter for 5-10 minutes. They won’t get cold! This allows the natural juices to flavor the whole steak.

Follow these chef tips for a beautiful filet mignon every time! And watch more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ_4TmXyDks

Wanna take the “labor” out of your Labor Day grilling?

Try these grilling and pairing tips to make your Labor Day grilling runs smoothly!

1. Check out these “Top 10 Steak Grilling Tips” from a real-live chef. Advice like “season early” seems simple enough, but if it’s skipped it could lead to some sad steaks.
2. Sometimes seeing is believing. Watch these videos for step-by-step instructions for your specific meal. Whether you’re grilling a ribeye, a Chateaubriand or going all out with some Wagyu Kobe beef, you’re covered with these grilling videos.
3. Brush up on your how to thaw steak. Should you leave your frozen meat out in the hot sun to get it ready for the grill? Find out here!
4. Need some recipe inspiration for your Labor Day grilling extravaganza? You’re sure to find something you’ll want to try in this list of amazing recipes.
5. Find the perfect wine to go with your grilled perfection with this wine pairing chart. I like charts ’cause they do all the hard work for me!
6. Wanna know how long to grill a steak on each side for that perfect taste? Well, speaking of grilling charts, we’ve got one for that!
7. And not only do we have a chart for that, we’ve got a grilling app for the perfect steak, too!
8. Now you’re all set to hit it out of the park (or at least onto the grill) this Labor Day!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Looking for the secrets of the pros? Check out this video on making your own PERFECT steak at home.

Tips and techniques from chefs always make at-home meals better.

Try it this weekend – this LOOONNNG, EXTENDED weekend!

And while we’re enjoying a day off, let’s remember the folks who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom this Memorial Day.