bistecca ben cotta
bistecca ben cotta is the Italian phrase for well done steak.
Use this phrase to describe a steak that has been cooked thoroughly throughout. If you want to specify that you want the meat to have absolutely no blood, you can say bistecca ben cotta senza sangue.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ben cotta literally means well cooked.
Which one should you use?
If you prefer your steak rare instead of well done, you should ask for it al sangue.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cotta must agree with the feminine noun bistecca in both gender and number.
Did you know?
- The word bistecca is actually an English loanword, derived from 'beefsteak', which shows how much culinary influence even ancient styles of cooking can have across languages.
- In many Italian restaurants, ordering a steak ben cotta might be met with a polite look of concern, as overcooking meat is often viewed as a culinary sin.
- The word bistecca can also refer to a 'polenta steak' in some dialects, where slices of grilled polenta are treated like meat.
Examples in context
- Vorrei una bistecca ben cotta, per favoreI would like a well-done steak, please.
- Mi piace la carne chianina ben cuocutaI like my Chianina beef well done.
- Vorrei una bistecca ben cotta, per favore.I would like a well done steak, please.
- Per me, la bistecca ben cotta è troppo dura.For me, a well done steak is too tough.
- Preferisci la carne al sangue o una bistecca ben cotta?Do you prefer rare meat or a well done steak?
Example conversation
A couple is ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- ChiaraCome desideri la tua bistecca, Matteo?How would you like your steak, Matteo?
- MatteoPer me una bistecca ben cotta.A well done steak for me.
- ChiaraSei sicuro? Non è troppo cotta?Are you sure? Isn't it too cooked?
- MatteoSì, preferisco così.Yes, I prefer it that way.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bistecca, cotta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
