When most vegetarians hear the word steak, the first thing that unsurprisingly comes to mind is huge chunks of meat. However, what most individuals do not know is that steak is not just reserved for meat; vegan steak delivers the same punch as the real thing without all the negative impact on the environment and planet.
While the term steak is most often used to refer to a thick cut of meat, the term is also frequently associated with vegan food products that are designed to look and taste like a steak such as mushroom steak, cauliflower steak, eggplant steak, tofu steak, beans, and so on, and so forth. Vegan steak boasts the same taste, bite and look as meat-based steaks.
To cut through vegan steak correctly, you will need a good set of steak knives which will make it easier to prepare and serve your vegan steak. Sure, you can still utilize your regular old knife but the truth is that the knife that you are using right now will always be adequate until something better comes along.
Having the right steak knives for the job will reduce your overall prep time as well as enhance the overall look of the food that you serve. Furthermore, a great steak knife will diminish the chances of injuring yourself, which makes it all the more important. Plus there is a curious joy in getting to utilize something extraordinarily sharp to cut through flesh, whether the flesh is made from meat or veggies.
Not fully convinced yet? Here are some great reasons why even vegetarians need to own good steak knives:
Steak knives are not just for steak
As mentioned above, steak can be used to refer to an array of things and not just meat. Steak knives can be used on veggie steaks but they can also just as easily be utilized for meat substitutes like tempeh and tofu.
Such meat substitutes often have meat-like textures, which makes them ideal for steak knives. The super sharp blades of steak knives ensure that you get clean cuts for anything that you use them for, making them multi-purpose in nature.
That said, there are things that you should never use your steak knife for especially during kitchen prep. For instance, the last thing that you want to use your steak knife for is for deboning.
Steak knives are designed to last long
Whether you are using them for cutting steak or coring an apple, steak knives are generally designed to last a lot longer than other varieties of table knives. Try and think of a quality steak knife as a utility knife on a larger, much stronger scale. Steak knives are designed to be sturdy enough to cut through meaty substances and thick types of food, which makes them stronger and more durable than most types out there.
A high-end set of steak knives can last for years as long as they are well taken care of. Lucky for you, unlike most other types of knives, steak knives rarely need any polishing or consistent sharpening, which is why they should be included in your arsenal of cutting items.
With that in mind, if you want your steak knives to last for years to come, a little TLC can go a long way. Since you will primarily be using your steak knives on hard surfaces and thick cuts of food, they need to maintain their sharpness and acuteness. If you notice that your steak knives are not as sharp as they used to be, simply hone them using steel or stone sharpeners.
You can enjoy an array of different cuisines with good steak knives
The kitchen accessories that we have at home tend to dictate the type of food that we eat and how we prepare these foods. For instance, most people rarely make ice cream at home unless they have an ice cream maker, which is off because it is entirely possible to make ice cream without an ice cream maker. Ultimately, it often boils down to which tools can allow us to prepare our food quickly and effectively.
Similarly, owning a great set of steak knives can encourage you to explore more cuisines such as a meal that involves some type of grilling rather than just pan-frying or steaming. With a steak knife, you could experiment easily with the likes of kabobs, veggie burgers, and so on.
Steak knives are more affordable than people realize
Like anything available for sale, there are steak knives to suit every budget. There is a variety of high-end steak knives that cost an arm and a foot but there are also affordable sets that will not cost you more than a couple of hundred dollars or less. If you really love steak and want to splurge on a high end set, feel free to but you do not have to spend that much money.
It is possible to get an effective yet sophisticated set of steak knives for well under $100. Considering that steak knives are basically a much stronger version of a basic utility knife, paying $100 or more for a quality pair is not exactly excessive as the knives will probably serve you for years to come.
There are countless veggie recipes that you can try using steak knives
Now that being a vegetarian is becoming more acceptable, there is a wealth of veggie recipes out there just waiting for you to try them. With your trusty steak knife, you can continue enjoying steak dinners without meat ever having to make an appearance on your plate.
Final Thoughts
No beef? No problem! You do not need meat to enjoy a thick, juicy succulent piece of steak. You do, however, need a good quality set of steak knives to make your time in the kitchen easier, more productive and more enjoyable.
A great steak knife can be your kitchen workhouse. In a pinch, you can use a steak knife for all sorts of things including cubing vegan cheese, splitting tomatoes, halving a toasted sandwich, coring a piece of fruit such as an apple and so much more.
