John loves to eat and this subsequently led to him teaching himself to cook. His eldest son is also a qualified chef and passes on tips.

The Challenge

In a recent article titled "An Ode to Cheese: With a Poem Challenge" Chris Mills (aka. cam8510) asked the following:

"This is not not so much my latest attempt at poetry as it is a challenge. I would like my friends to take a few minutes to produce a poem about food. Many of us are still shut up in our homes. Food has become a major issue. What will we eat? We search for new recipes...…….

Write a poem about food

Or I'll throw a fit.

Email me your poem when you post. Also leave a link here in the comments. Send samples of unspoilable food via your favorite delivery service."

When Hunger's at Steak ~ or Nothing Beats Beef

How I love a well-cooked steak,

Char-grilled, medium rare.

A fine rib fillet, T-bone, or rump,

No other meat compares.

Top it with green pepper sauce

And a glass of good red wine,

Nice company to share the meal,

And a pleasant place to dine.

There's nothing that I'd rather eat

Than the perfect grass-fed beef,

At home, or a restaurant

When the lockdown orders cease.

© 2020 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 16, 2020:

Thank you for reading this poem, theblogchick. Yes, I just read some of your poetry too. It is well written and I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more.

Theblogchick from United States on June 16, 2020:

I like your poem John. Short and interesting. Thanks for posting. May you take a look at my poetry whenever you get a chance. Thanks

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 10, 2020:

Hey Debra, good to see you. Sound like you are surrounded by beef. Can’t beat a good steak and wine combo. Thanks for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 10, 2020:

Mmmm Gypsy, fillet Mignon steak and lobster tail. I can’t think of anything more mouth watering. I hope that restaurant reopens soon. Thanks for reading.

Debra Roberts from Ohio on May 10, 2020:

This is awesome! As a mom of three cattle-raising sons and steak and red wine lover, I completely agree with you!

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on May 10, 2020:

Like or not after reading this I will have to get myself a steak. My favorite restaurant meal used to be a piece of fillet mignon and lobster tail.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 09, 2020:

MizB, it sounds as though it maybe similar to what we call oyster blade which has the line of gristle running through it or a cross cut of that. Oyster blade is a relatively inexpensive cut but one of my favourites for texture and flavour. We have another cut called topside so could also be that I guess. Thank you for the link.

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on May 09, 2020:

John, I found this good article on flatiron steak. I disagree that they have to be grilled though. https://www.thespruceeats.com/flat-iron-steak-for-...

They are part of the chuck area on the cow, and another article I read said that they used to be trashed because they were contiguous to a fatty area. It says that if the grocer gives you a blank look when you request a flatiron steak, then ask for a top blade steak, which is another name. I prefer a good marinated flatiron cooked on the top of the stove to going out to a steakhouse. Enjoy.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 08, 2020:

Hey Pamela. I’m always hungry for a good steak. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Thanks for reading, glad you think I met the challenge well.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on May 08, 2020:

I think this is an excellent poem and steak sure looks good right now. LOL I think you have met the challenge and then some.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Thank you Tiyasha. I did have a good day, and appreciate your kind wishes.

Tiyasha Maitra from Gurgaon on May 06, 2020:

Sorry for the typo. No 'have'

Tiyasha Maitra from Gurgaon on May 06, 2020:

Belated happy birthday John... Wish you lots of luck and have merriment.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Thank you Mel. Cheers!

Mel Carriere from San Diego California on May 06, 2020:

Forgot your birthday. Happy returns.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Haha MsDora, it seems I will responsible for making half of HP hungry the way this is going. Thanks for reading.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on May 06, 2020:

Excellent! No surprise there, but this one can make one hungry.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

I know where are coming from Jason. I love t to cook on a barbecue also, and nothing better than steak. There is certainly an art to cooking it perfectly. Thanks for reading..

Jason Nicolosi from AZ on May 06, 2020:

I was drooling after reading this. Mmm, I love steak especially one cooked on the outdoor barbeque. I actually love to cook. Especially on the outdoor grill. I'm a bit of a pro when it comes to cooking steaks. Gough, I wish I had a T-bone right now. Lol.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Good to hear that Brenda. Coming to check now.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on May 06, 2020:

John,

Your poem inspired me.

I took the challenge.

https://letterpile.com/poetry/Poem-Hunger-Pains

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Oh Tiyasha. I am so glad you are another steak lover. I actually had a rump roast tonight for my birthday dinner. Yes, sandwiches tomorrow for sure. Thanks for reading.

Tiyasha Maitra from Gurgaon on May 06, 2020:

I love it. I am a steak lover. I often cook tenderloins with balsamic vinegar or red wine (if I have some lying around). Rump roasts are yummy too and I use the leftovers in sandwiches. Love this poem. Take care.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Thank you so much Rinita. Much appreciated.

Rinita Sen on May 06, 2020:

Happy Birthday John:)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Yes it is Shauna,and thank you.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on May 06, 2020:

Is today your birthday, John? Happy Birthday, my friend!!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 06, 2020:

Thank you for reading this poem and also for the birthday wishes Chitrangada. Much appreciated. Bless you.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on May 05, 2020:

Excellent poem and the recipe is sure to make the readers crave for it.

Perfect response to the challenge. Thank you for sharing.

Happy Birthday John. Wish you a wonderful day, and a happy, healthy year ahead.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 05, 2020:

Jimmy, I am glad this poem gave you a craving for steak. Thank you for reading.

Jimmy Bio Jr from Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines on May 05, 2020:

What a lovely piece, John. My imagination was fueled. I hope to eat such steak. How I crave for it now.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 05, 2020:

Sankhajit, thank you very much.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 05, 2020:

Mel, you have me worried. I hope that doesn’t happen with meat in Australia. Killing all those pigs and just discarding the meat! Cruel and a waste. Thank you for reading and for your thought provoking comment.

Sankhajit Bhattacharjee from MILWAUKEE on May 05, 2020:

realistic view on current situation

Mel Carriere from San Diego California on May 05, 2020:

Enjoy that steak now, because they are talking about meat scarcities next, at least in the US. Coronavirus has hit the butchers hard, and I heard they have to slaughter 100,000 pigs a day and throw the meat away because it is too expensive to keep them alive. That seems unbelievably cruel. But I still won't give up pork chops.

Your lovely poem was so upbeat and now I've made it a bummer. Stay well.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Yes, maybe too much for midnight, Shannon. Breakfast is a possible though. I have been quite stumped by a few poetry requests but my muse usually comes to my aid after awhile.

Shannon Henry from Texas on May 04, 2020:

You made my mouth water, but a steak is a bit much for a midnight snack. LOL. Is there anything you can't write a poem about?

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

I have the power Paula...lol.

Suzie from Carson City on May 04, 2020:

Jodah......You not only teased me to eat steak tonight....you convinced me to accept Chris's challenge! (I really don't know how you did that!).....

https://hubpages.com/food/MaMa-Mia-Thats-a-Spicy-M...

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Brenda, steak everyday sounds like Heaven. I hope the weather warms up for you soon. Thank you for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Hi MizB. A flatiron so sounds like my kind of steak but we don’t have that cut here so it must have a different name. Lucky you having your own personal chef named Larry. I hope you to have steak soon.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on May 04, 2020:

You got my mouth watering.

Steak is by far my favorite meal...especially cooked over a grill.

I did have one over the weekend, but i could enjoy every day if it is cooked just right with tender juices in each bite.

Now i need some more warm weather...

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on May 04, 2020:

Ha ha, I love your poem, John. I like a good flatiron steak cooked as only my private chef (my husband Larry) can cook them. They're economical, too. A nice sized flatiron usually makes two meals for the two of us. You make me wish I had one in the house tonight.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

That is great Marlene. I am happy to hear you are having steak to tonight.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Hi Shauna, a good sirloin in wonderful. I couldn’t lure every cut in the poem. I am glad the poem made hungry. Thank Chris for issuing the challenge.

Marlene Bertrand from USA on May 04, 2020:

John, because of your poem, we are actually having steak for dinner tonight!

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on May 04, 2020:

John, you've succeeded in making me hungry. I love a good charbroiled medium rare steak. I prefer sirloin because it has less fat overall. Just enough to make it tender and juicy.

Damn I wish I had a steak right now!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Kyler, that sounds perfect. Your secret is safe with me. Thanks for reading my hunger pangs.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

You and I both, Ruby, thanks for reading and adding your little verse.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Good for you Flourish. I would find that impossible however. Thanks for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thank you Rinita. Steak is somewhat of a luxury meal for me that generally I get to eat on special occasions. I know everyone can’t eat beef however. Glad you liked the title.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Hi Marlene. Thanks for reading, I hope you get to enjoy that steak soon.

Kyler J Falk from California on May 04, 2020:

Don't let the secret out, because I'm not supposed to eat red meat, but I make myself a perfect, medium-rare, filet mignon every week. A little peppercorns, a dash of salt to taste, and a side of garlic asparagus; maybe I throw a little corn on the cob doused in Parmesan and Tapatio seasoning if I'm feeling extra naughty.

Thanks for making me hungry, and for the poem as well!

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on May 04, 2020:

The picture of the steak looks so yummy

I want some in my tummy

Love your poem!

FlourishAnyway from USA on May 04, 2020:

Good poem. I haven’t eaten beef since 1996. Went cold turkey and didn’t look back. Don’t miss it either.

Rinita Sen on May 04, 2020:

Smart title. Robust poem. Hope you can eat your favorite food soon.

Marlene Bertrand from USA on May 04, 2020:

A very fine poem about steak. Now, there is nothing I want more now than a big juicy char-grilled medium rare steak.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Becky, I am glad the poem managed to evoke the smell of and hunger for a good steak. That was my aim. Please don’t bite your son.

Becky Katz from Hereford, AZ on May 04, 2020:

My son works at a steakhouse, and when he comes home, he makes me hungry. He works in the kitchen and reeks of good steak. Luckily, he heads to the laundry room first thing, so I haven't bitten him yet. I still don't know how they taste. After reading your poem, I am smelling it again. I am hungry already.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Yes,good enough to eat,Clive.. Thanks.

Clive Williams from Jamaica on May 04, 2020:

All I can say is those meals in the pic loooks deeeelicious!!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Yes, Liz, vegetarians would hate this.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thanks Peg. I sure hope so.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on May 04, 2020:

I think that you met the challenge and hit it out of the park! A fine dinner with a glass of wine and shared with good company sounds fantastic. Perhaps in the future that will once again be possible.

Liz Westwood from UK on May 04, 2020:

I can almost taste it through your well-worked poem. Probably not one for vegetarians though!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Mmmm steak and eggs for breakfast, Bill' Sounds good to me.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 04, 2020:

6:30 a.m. and I'm drooling. Thanks a lot, buddy!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thank you Chris, I couldn't think of anything I'd rather eat at the moment.

Chris Mills from Traverse City, MI on May 04, 2020:

That's just what I counting on, John, a well crafted poem about something good to eat. Great job. I love it.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Rosina, good to hear this made you hungry for steak. In the meantime enjoy your coffee. I'm going to make one too.

Rosina S Khan on May 04, 2020:

The picture and the poem about steak makes me really hungry, John. I do hope I can have steak sometime soon while now I would like to go for afternoon coffee. Your poem(s) always bring smiles to everyone including myself. Have a blessed day.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thanks again, Diana.

Diana Carol Abrahamson from Somerset West on May 04, 2020:

Well you certainly painted a great picture, with words.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thanks so much, Diana. That is the mood I hoped to create.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 04, 2020:

Thank you Lorna. Much appreciated. The thing I miss most during this time is having a nice meal out.

Diana Carol Abrahamson from Somerset West on May 04, 2020:

Your poem creates a hunger for a sit down meal in lock-down.Just what we all need! Thanks John.

Lorna Lamon on May 04, 2020:

This poetry flows and rhymes so perfectly John and reminds me of those good old days which we took for granted. Good food, good wine and good company - can't beat it.