Depending on the thickness of the steak (ribeye, fillet, sirloin), just make sure the pan is VERY hot. One tip, is to drop watre or milk on it, if it bubbles, you're good to go!
Place the steak in the pan. Wait one minute, then turn over, until other side is greay too. Once grey, poke it with a finger. If the meat returns to its normal shape, it's done!
Knobby seems to be assuming that your question is not a serious one. I'll take the opposite view.
First, tenderize the steak. The easiest way to do this is to wallop it with something hard. (You're meant to use a meat mallet but a hammer or a rolling pin will do the job). See here for alternative methods: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20 060624160942AAsHB3M
Then place it under a pre-heated grill until the top layer looks as if it's cooked. Turn it over and repeat. When you think that there's a possibility that it might be cooked, remove it from the grill and cut into it. If red blood and juices run freely from most of the centre, it's still 'rare' (or even 'blue') and needs more time under the grill. If there's just a very thin red line of blood and juices right in the very centre, it's 'medium rare' and perfectly cooked. If there's no red line in the centre it's 'well done' and should be consigned to the bin.
is it better in a pan than a grill and do i have to hit the meat to tenderise it it is a rideye steak want to cook my boyfriend favorite food for him so it is important not to give him food poisioning
Oi binno you dont beat the meat as that is not a way of ten derizing it I cook the meanest mariinated steaks in the west an d I know how to bring out the full taste in them
You won't give him food poisoning with a fresh steak, don't worry. My advice still stands, about 3 minutes each side on a VERY hot pan. Serve with a pepper sauce (you can buy them in a packet, just add milk kind of thing), and home made chips or roast tatties, and a side of green beans. :O)
Some people like to grill their steaks; others prefer a griddle. (A pan is often used as a sort of 'poor man's griddle'). It's just a matter of personal preference.
It would be extremely difficult to give someone food poisoning from a steak. Steaks contain far fewer bacteria than things like burgers. The best restaurants in the world charge customers a small fortune for 'steak tartare', which is completely raw! ;-)
I like my steak 'blue', which means that the whole plate goes red, as the blood and juices poor out, as soon as you cut into it. It's just as safe as 'medium rare' or even 'well done' steak.