Let me tell you about the first time I really nailed this. A few weeks ago, I came home late, tired, and staring into the fridge. There was a pack of cube steak I’d bought on a whim. I sighed. But I remembered my own advice. I salted it, let it rest while I made a quick salad. I gave it a few gentle mallet whacks (my toddler thought I was making music). Then I seared it fast in a hot skillet with butter and a sprinkle of garlic powder.
The result? My husband took one bite and asked, “Wait, is this steak?” He didn’t believe it was cube steak. It was tender, flavorful, and didn’t make me negotiate with my jaw. I felt like a genius. And it cost me about four dollars for the whole meal.
That’s why you should care. You don’t need a fat wallet or a culinary degree to eat well. You just need a little salt, a little patience, and the courage to give your dinner a good whack. Now go make that cube steak proud.
