Blackened Cajun Spiced Steaks

I don't often post recipes using beef. It is not intentional, but we don't cook with red meat much in our house. The crazy thing is that we bought 1/2 a grass-fed cow from my parents last November, so we have plenty of red meat to use. I often find myself not sure what to do with all the different cuts of meat because I don't typically prefer to cook with red meat. I think we have made a pretty good dent in the meat we do have, but we still have more, so you will probably see a few posts in the coming weeks that pertain to beef recipes. Steak can often have a bad reputation as being loaded with fat and high calories, but there are certain cuts of meat that are actually quite healthy for you in small amounts. This recipe originally calls for ribeye steaks, which we don't have at our house, so I used sirloin steaks. When we eat beef in our household I try to use cuts that have the word "loin" in them. This is the leanest and healthiest cuts of beef. I think you will really enjoy this recipe. You can come up with several options for side dishes with steak. We served this dish with some fresh grilled corn on the cob and sliced fresh watermelon and mango.

Original recipe found at: http://chilicheesefries.net/1202/blackened-cajun-rib-eye-steaks/

Blackened Cajun Spiced Steaks
Serves 4
*This recipe calls for use of a cast iron skillet

Ingredients:
1 pound or 4 4-oz sirloin steaks (feel free to use ribeyes or any other steak you prefer)
4 tablespoons light butter
2 tablespoons lower sodium worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper

Directions:
-In a small bowl, combine all dry seasoning ingredients and combine well
-Coat your steaks on both sides with the seasoning mix and let sit for about 20 minutes at room temperature
-In a large cast iron skillet, melt butter and worcestershire sauce over medium high heat making sure to stir often.
-Turn heat to medium heat and add the steaks
-You want to sear each side of the steaks for about 3 to 4 minutes
-You can then transfer the steaks to the grill to finish cooking or you can cook the steaks in the cast iron skillet until they reach the temperature you prefer.
-We cooked the steaks about 8 minutes per side in the cast iron skillet
-Drizzle any of the drippings on top of your steaks and serve

Enjoy! :)