How done is your meat?

I know that summer is here when I smell meat grilling on the barbecues in my neighborhood. Burgers and steaks are especially flavorful when grilled, and the aroma is intoxicating (entrancing and stimulating).

Doneness indicates how thoroughly cooked a cut of meat is with regard to its color, juiciness and internal temperature, and everyone has their preference.

If you’re a guest at a family barbecue, can you tell your host how you like your meat cooked? What about in a restaurant? Can you communicate to your server the desired doneness of your steak?

RARE = cool red center
MEDIUM RARE = warm red center; firmer
MEDIUM = warm pink firm center
MEDIUM WELL = slightly pink center
WELL DONE = little or no pink

These are vocabulary words to know for the ideal steaks, roasts, and burgers!