Valentine’s Day calls for a celebration and what better way to make it special than with a delicious steak dinner? But if you’re looking to save some money, you can turn a cheaper cut of steak into a top-notch restaurant steak without the hefty price tag. In just a few steps you'll have a delicious and tender steak.

First, let's reveal the secret to making cheaper steak even more tender and flavourful: Salting the steak one hour before cooking. If you're salting your steak just before cooking it, you won't get the same level of tenderness. So, the key is to salt the steak an hour before cooking because this helps draw out the protein-rich juice that dries on the surface during cooking, creating a crisp, deeply seasoned crust.

You might be thinking 'aren't you drawing all the moisture out of the steak?' Well, it's not the water that makes it flavourful. The flavour and juiciness comes from the breakdown of proteins and fats.

So, here's what you need to salt your steak the right way:

-2 teaspoons of sea salt

-1 piece of steak



Instructions:

1. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt per side of steak.

2. Let the salt sit for 1 hour per 2.5cm thickness of the steak. For example, if the steak is 1cm thick, then let salt for 30 minutes.

3. Wipe the majority of the salt off. Pat very dry with a paper towel.

4. Season steak with pepper or other seasonings (do not add any additional salt).

5. Cook the steak to your preference!

Want to make your steak taste even better?

- Add flavouring during the salting process, such as garlic, spices and dried herbs.

- Grill the steak over a BBQ or wood fire for a smoky flavour.

- For a more intense flavour, try pan-searing the steak in a cast iron skillet.