Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks

Beef rib-eye steaks are tender and delicious, but this zesty dry marinade can give any steak a lift. Make a large batch of the dry rub and store airtight in a cool dry place. It's also good rubbed on pork, chicken, or turkey.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• Dry Rub
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 (1-inch-thick) boneless beef rib-eye steaks (12 ounces each), fat trimmed
• Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

1. Make the dry rub: In a small bowl, mix the garlic, black pepper, mustard, paprika, chili powder, thyme, salt, and red pepper until well blended.

2. Brush the oil on both sides of the steaks and place each steak on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Rub the spice mixture on both sides of steaks. Wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

3. Heat a gas grill to high, prepare a hot charcoal fire until the coals form white ash, or heat a broiler.

4. Grill or broil the steaks 4 to 6 inches above the heat source for 5 to 7 minutes on each side for rare, 7 to 9 minutes for medium, or 9 to 11 minutes for well done.

5. Remove the steaks to serving plates, garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve right away.

Grilled Perfect Steak

• If using a charcoal grill, start the fire 30 to 40 minutes before grilling. The fire's ready when the coals look ash-covered and you can hold your hand 4 to 5 inches (grill height) over the coals for about 4 seconds before it's too hot to continue.
• Trim all steaks of any excess fat.
• Lightly brush steaks and the grilling surface with oil to prevent sticking.
• Grill 1-inch-thick steaks 12 to 14 minutes, turning once, for medium rare; 5 minutes longer for medium. Grill 18 to 20 minutes for 2-inch-thick steaks (5 minutes longer for medium).
• Make a small cut in the thickest part of the meat and check the color to tell if it's done. Or touch it. Rare will be soft, medium will give slightly, and well done will be firm. For steaks more than 1 1/2 inches thick, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part—145° to 150°F is medium rare, 160°F is medium.
• Let steaks stand a few minutes after grilling to give juices a chance to settle and meat to firm up for easier slicing.