Good Rule of Thumb: Don't Eat Grey Steak
*May 31, 2007
First of all, I have to begin this story by stating that I'm the kind of person who eats every meal in tiny tiny bites just in case whatever it is I'm eating gives me food poisoning. I don't think I have to explain why smaller bites are better.
Last week when grocery shopping, Chad and I got a little giddy and made an uncharacteristic purchase of two New York strips of steak. We both love steak, but for obvious monetary reasons we don't have it often. However, we were feeling a little celebratory after the long holiday weekend and we decided to splurge.
The steaks sat in our fridge for a few days. I noticed that they began to lose their color and turn grey. I figured this had to do with the fact that Wal-Mart injects their meats with red dye so that they'll look fresh. I figured the dye was just wearing off. The label said to eat it or freeze it by yesterday, May 30, so last night Chad decided that he would cook the steak for me while I took Rufus to the dog park.
When I got back from the dog park, I saw the steaks on the grill and noticed that they were looking VERY MUCH like pork and NOT AT ALL like steak. They were a really light grey. I asked Chad what was wrong with the steaks, and he told me that they were fine.
Since I believe firmly that the ONLY way to eat a steak is medium-rare, Chad took mine off the grill a few minutes before his. He called to me and told me that dinner was ready. I sat down at my plate and just stared at the steak for a while. Then I cut into it. It was grey the entire way through.
Spring: Chad, how well done is this steak?
Chad: What do you mean? It's medium rare. Can't you see the pink?
Spring: No, I can't see the pink. I see no pink. All I see is grey.
Chad (getting irritated): Well, it's medium rare.
Spring: Alright. (pause) Have you ever seen a grey medium rare steak before?
Chad: I don't know what you're talking about! It's fine!
Spring: Alright.
So I cut a few pieces off and began eating. It didn't taste bad at all, so I figured it was fine and I was just being my usual worrisome self. Then Chad took his steak off the grill and cut into it. He took one bite and said, "Oh my gosh, the steaks are bad!"
I had already eaten two pieces at this point and was on my third.
And, needless to say, I was sick last night. Very, very sick.
But if there's one good thing to come out of this, it's that Chad will never again be able to tell me I'm just being neurotic whenever I get worried about the safety of a piece of meat. And, in a very sad, depraved way, that's worth it to me.
Oh, Spring! Poor thing. Bet that curbed your craving for steak!
- Posted by Deborah | May 31, 2007 9:28 AM
That was totally a Josh and Katie moment. How hilarious!
I don't think I'm going to cut it. I really want to and while I love it short, I HATE the "growing out" phase where it's that awkward length that doesn't look good on anyone. So. Long for now. Until I can't handle it anymore.
You have very pretty hair. Even if you have to wear it long, that's not a bad thing because it looks very pretty long.
- Posted by Katie | May 31, 2007 9:45 AM
I'm sorry you are sick. That really sucks.
- Posted by Sarah | May 31, 2007 10:00 AM
Yeah, meat has to be frozen or cooked immediately. The redness isn't dye, needless to say. Sorry you were sick, lady. That sucks.
- Posted by Katy | May 31, 2007 10:46 AM
Yikes I'm sorry you had to learn that the hard way! Usually meat CAN sit in the fridge for a couple of days before it changes colors and goes bad, but that entirely depends on how long it was sitting out at the store. If I'm within a few days of the expiration date I usually freeze the meat unless I'm gonna cook it up that night. Chicken can be sketchy too after being in the fridge a couple of days. It doesn't change color but it will develop a bad smell. I hope you don't have an aversion to steak now!
- Posted by Julia | May 31, 2007 1:29 PM
Dude. I think I've heard something before about grey steak and Mad Cow Disease.
Just sayin'. ;)
- Posted by chirky | May 31, 2007 1:42 PM
i'm guessing you didn't help your mom shop or cook when you were a kid, then? there's a reason red meat's called just that ;) hope you feel better soon.
- Posted by jen | May 31, 2007 3:07 PM
that sucks spring. I hope you start feeling better soon. One time my mom refused to listen to my dad and I when we told her the the roast she was about to cook was rotten. She spent probably a couple hours preparing and cooking the roast...and it did turn out to be bad. All in all you should listen to your spouse and child (if you had one) about rotten meat.
- Posted by Kim | May 31, 2007 4:28 PM
Sometimes if I eat food that I think may have been bad, I can talk myself into being sick. I can totally freak myself out to the point where I feel sick even if the food didn't actually make me sick. I'm weird like that.
- Posted by Emily T. | May 31, 2007 6:44 PM
Ah! I guess the lesson is always listen to your gut! Hope you're feeling better.
- Posted by molly | June 1, 2007 8:23 AM
Eating bad or uncooked meat is my greatest fear in life, causing many squabbles between me and my husband concerning his grilling abilities. Especially chicken.... Ryan has often vowed to never grill chicken for me again because I usually make him throw it back on the grill.
I've had Walmart hamburger turn grey before, and we've wasted so much meat that we just don't get to in time.
- Posted by Joy | June 3, 2007 11:41 AM
Eating bad or uncooked meat is my greatest fear in life, causing many squabbles between me and my husband concerning his grilling abilities. Especially chicken.... Ryan has often vowed to never grill chicken for me again because I usually make him throw it back on the grill.
I've had Walmart hamburger turn grey before, and we've wasted so much meat that we just don't get to in time.
- Posted by Joy | June 3, 2007 11:41 AM