Ingredients

• 2 strip steaks (about 1 inch thick)
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1to 2 teaspoons unsalted butter

Directions

1. Bring the steaks to room temperature.
2. Heat a 10- or 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season the steaks liberally with salt and pepper. Seconds before adding a steak, drop 1/2 teaspoon of the butter into the pan and immediately top with the steak. Repeat with the remaining steak. Sear for 3 minutes without moving the steak (to form a crust). Turn and cook for 2 minutes for rare or 3 to 4 for medium rare. Remove the steaks from the pan and let them rest on a board or platter for a few minutes before serving.