Cooking School: Grilling Great Steaks,
with Recipes and Techniques

When Karmel moved from her native North Carolina, she taught herself how to make the barbecue dishes she loved (and missed) so much. Karmel parlayed her craving into a career. She is the executive chef of Hill Country Barbecue Market in Washington, D.C., and New York and the author of three books. Visit Girls at the Grill for information.

Several grilled-steak recipes follow, along with Karmel’s step-by-step instructions for juicy, perfectly seared beef filets. You’ll find techniques for stuffing filets, making compound butters, and getting the same caramelized crust you usually only find at a steakhouse. You’ll also see how to arrange coals in various configurations to establish areas of direct and indirect heat.