Jessica Pegula will face Elise Mertens tonight at the Australian Open, here’s how to watch.
January 2025
How to Reverse Sear the Best Steak of Your Life
I used to hate cooking steak at home for one big reason: the smoke. I rent an apartment in Brooklyn, which means I have to deal with a close and sensitive smoke alarm. But even without the threat of a piercing siren, steak was always one of those “sometimes” foods that ended up making more of a mess than I care to clean up.
That is, until the concept of reverse searing entered my life, and changed everything. Now I can make myself a perfect steak, and you can too.
What is reverse searing?
Searing is the classic way to prepare a steak: simply pop it in a screaming hot pan and sear it until it’s done. “Reverse searing” is the catchy phrase for baking a roast low and slow in a conventional oven, and tossing it in a hot pan afterward to get some nice color on the outside. The steak effectively cooks almost completely in the oven; you pan-sear it simply for the glorious browning and flavor the process brings.
You can reverse sear (almost) any steak
You can use this method for almost any type of steak or roast. You can reverse sear rib-eye steaks, filet mignon, New York strip steak, or a pork tenderloin. The only caveat is thickness: It’s hard to reverse sear anything thinner than an inch thick—between the baking and searing, a thin cut of meat will likely cook past the medium-rare point before you can catch it. Try to aim for steaks and roasts that are an inch and a half or thicker.
Reverse searing is totally worth it
Reverse searing helps the steak to brown more evenly than simply pan searing. Searing a steak over high heat will cook the protein fibers on the outside much more rapidly, shrinking the outer layer and causing the middle to bulge, and that warping of the meat makes it hard to get an even sear. Searing is primarily to add flavor, so an uneven sear actually minimizes flavor.
Reverse searing cooks the meat gently and slowly. Most often, you’ll start the process with an oven set to 225°F or 250°F, and leave the steak in there for 20 to 50 minutes, depending on how you like your steak (and a few variables I will discuss later). Slow cooking allows the meat to warm up and heat through more evenly, keeping its shape nice and flat. The best part, if you ask me? No smoke. There is no opportunity for scorching when using this cooking technique. Well, not yet anyway. (You do sear it briefly at the end, but it’s for no where near as long.)
Moreover, it’s lower stress: Cooking this way allows you to do other things in the kitchen while the steak cooks away in the oven, and you can use a probe thermometer every 10 minutes or so to see how it’s coming along. If you have a terrible habit of overcooking your steak, this method nearly guarantees you won’t overcook it.
The right way to reverse sear a steak
A dryer surface sears better, so the evening before you’re ready to cook, pat your steak with some paper towels and let it sit on a wire rack over a sheet pan in the fridge overnight. If you forget to do this, you can simply do it in the morning for a few hours. Worse case scenario (which has certainly happened to me several times), just pat it dry before you put it in the oven.
1. Preheat your oven
Set your oven to 250°F. Place a wire rack over a sheet pan. There won’t be much that drips off the steak, but elevating the meat allows the warm air to flow around all sides.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
2. Set your target temp and bake the steak
Thoroughly season your steak and place it on the wire rack. You’re aiming for an internal temperature 10 to 15 degrees below the target finished temperature. Consider that the steak will sear in a hot pan, and also experience carry-over cooking.
Here’s a chart with target temperatures that the center of your steak should reach before you sear it in a pan.
For reverse searing, aim for the temperature above and remove your steak from the oven.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn reinmann
Credit: Allie Chanthorn reinmann
I like my steak around medium which is about 140°F. I subtracted 15 degrees, and aimed for 125°F -ish. It took me 45 minutes to get to 122°F, with two temperature tests after the first 25 minutes.
There are variables to keep in mind. How thick is your steak? Was it fridge-cold or room temperature? My ribeye was one-and-a-half inches thick, and still chilly from the fridge. After 25 minutes, it had just reached the internal temperature fit for a rare steak, about 102°F. My advice is to keep in mind the thickness of your steak and check on it after 10 minutes for a thin steak (around an inch and a quarter thick), and after 20 or 25 minutes for a thicker one (an inch and a half or more). Once you have an initial reading, you can adjust the cooking time from there.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
3. Sear in a hot pan
Once your target internal temperature has been reached, remove the steak from the oven. Heat a frying pan, or cast iron skillet on medium heat until it’s very hot, which usually takes a few minutes. Sear the steak on all sides with a knob of butter, for about one minute per side. Serve immediately.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
If it’s your first time reverse searing, you might be dismayed by how ugly and gray your steak looks out of the oven. Hang in there. Once you sear it, you’ll understand what it’s all about. Reverse seared steak has great flavor and looks beautiful. Although you miss out on some nice pan drippings, to me the benefits outweigh the missing fond. So say goodbye to scorching, and hello to a more relaxing, better steak experience.
This Free iPhone and Mac Widget Tracks Your Local Air Quality
I’ve lived in Oregon for a decade, meaning I’ve experienced multiple wildfire seasons. You learn quickly, in these conditions, that staying on top of the air quality is essential: Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can have all kinds of negative affects on your health so you don’t want to spend a lot of time outside if the air is bad.
Breathable is a newly free app by the Portland-based app development agency Karbon that adds an Air Quality Index (AQI) widget for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Install the application, then add the widget to your device to be passively aware of the air quality every time you pick up your phone. (Yes, you could check the AQI in the Apple Weather app, but it doesn’t offer an AQI widget.)
The application, while free, takes a little bit of work to set up. You’ll need to get API keys from at least one service in order to use it. The good news is this process isn’t long and there’s very clear documentation. You’ll need to head to IQAir.com, sign up for an account, choose the free plan, then copy the API key. You can repeat the process at Airnow.gov if you live in the United States and want access to information from the EPA. Then you’ll need to specify, in the app’s settings, which location you want to get AQI information for.
Credit: Justin Pot
After setup, though, you just need to add the widgets wherever you like. Breathable offers two widgets, one small and one medium. You can add these widgets to your homescreen on an iPhone or iPad, as a complication on your Apple Watch, or on your Mac desktop. All of those options give you the AQI as a number and in a chart.
You can, optionally, customize the look of the widget with the font, gradient, and layout. It’s not a lot of customization but you should be able to get it looking the way you like.
Credit: Justin Pot
You can also decide to show the AQI using an emoji scale instead of a number—some people find this easier to parse at a glance. The default set uses faces, but you can customize the widget to use whatever emojis you like.
The developers of Breathable say they wish it didn’t have to exists, and I agree. Climate change is a reality, though, and tools like this help us deal with it a little bit.
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How to Stream ‘Severance’ Season 2 for Free
Among the list of Apple TV+’s great original shows, Severance is among my favorites. In fact, Season 2 airs this Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. If you missed the Apple TV+ free weekend earlier this month, you can still sign up for a free trial to catch the show without committing to a subscription.
Get the 7-day trial
This is the simplest method to get an Apple TV+ free trial, as you get it directly from the company. You can sign up for Apple TV+ on the company’s website, and get a week-long free trial. After that, you’ll pay $9.99 per month for the privilege of using the service.
Get three months free via Best Buy
At the time of writing, Best Buy is offering one of the best free trials for Apple TV+, as the retailer will get you three months of Apple TV+ for free. This offer is valid for new subscribers and “qualified returning subscribers.” As long as you’re not an active subscriber of Apple TV+, you should be able to use this offer in the US.
Buy a new Apple device for a free Apple TV+ trial
Apple also offers a three-month free trial of Apple TV+, but to get it, you need to buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. The only limitation is that your device needs to be compatible with the latest version of its operating system. As long as it meets that criterion, you’ll be able to claim the trial and enjoy all the content on the service without paying anything upfront.
Students get Apple TV+ free with Apple Music
If you’re a student, you can get an Apple Music student subscription for $5.99 per month. As an additional perk, this plan includes a free subscription to Apple TV+. You can stream the Severance soundtrack right after watching the show, in addition to anything else in the Apple Music library, of course.
Get an Apple One free trial for TV+
For those who don’t subscribe to Apple TV+, upgrading to an Apple One subscription is a way to score a one-month free trial. Apple One is the combined plan that includes iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade at plans starting at $19.95 per month. As long as the Apple One free trial is active, you can use Apple TV+ for free for a month.
Apple TV+ free trial via a PlayStation 5
If you have a PlayStation 5, you can claim a three-month Apple TV+ free trial. This offer is valid till Jan. 27, 2025, and it’s available to new and “qualified” returning subscribers.
Roku owners get an Apple TV+ free trial
If you buy a new Roku device, you can also get a three-month free trial for Apple TV+. Be sure to opt-in to receiving Roku emails in order to get the promo code. The offer is valid through Feb. 3, 2025, as noted on Roku’s website at the time of writing.
T-Mobile Go5G and Sprint offer Apple TV+ free trials
T-Mobile’s Go5G plans offer a six-month Apple TV+ trial for free. Similarly, some Sprint plans offer a six-month free Apple TV+ trial, while Sprint MAX customers can get a one-year free trial.
Watch limited Apple TV+ shows and movies for free
Apple TV+ also lets you watch some of its TV shows and movies for free, even if you aren’t a subscriber. You can check out the catalog at Apple TV+’s Free for Everyone page. These shows and movies are free for a limited time and you can expect the free catalog to change in the future. Unfortunately, Severance isn’t among these options, which is why I listed this method at the end.
Australian Open 2025: How to watch the Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro match today
Can Aryna Sabalenka defend her Australian Open title this year? Watch as she plays Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round of the tournament.
Roki Sasaki’s free agency: What you need to know as the Japanese star nears an MLB decision
The 23-year-old phenom has named 3 finalists and will choose an MLB team no later than Jan. 23.
10 Concrete Ways to Save More for Retirement in 2025
No matter who you are, you’re probably continuously plagued by the vague pressure to “save more.” But making personal finance progress requires not just hopeful ambition, but identifying concrete steps to take.
Consider the actionable difference between a undefined intent to “save more!” and, say, telling yourself “I am going to max out my Roth IRA this year,” and you’ll see why it’s important to define your goals. And if you’re looking for concrete steps, I’ve got you covered: Here are 10 steps you can take to actually increase your retirement savings this year.
Max out your employer-sponsored retirement plans
For 2025 the IRS has increased the contribution limits for 401(k) plans to $23,500, up from $23,000 in 2024. Chances are good your employer offers some kind of 401(k) percentage match that can help you grow your savings. Even if you can’t boost your savings all the way to $23,000 (ambitious!), if you’re not already contributing enough to get your employer’s full match, make this your first priority—it’s essentially free money and can significantly boost your retirement savings over the long term.
Leverage catch-up contributions
If you’re 50 or older, you’re eligible for catch-up contributions in both your 401(k) and IRA accounts. These additional allowances can help you accelerate your savings during your peak earning years. In 2025, employees aged 60 to 63 will be able to make larger catch-up contributions to their 401(k) plans, with new limits set at either $10,000 annually or 150% of the standard catch-up contribution limit—whichever is greater.
Optimize your investment strategy
Contributing is great, but you need to make sure your money is being invested in line with your goals, so consider reviewing and rebalancing your investment portfolio. While maintaining a diversified approach, look into different investment vehicles that align with your risk tolerance and time horizon. This might include a mix of:
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Low-cost index funds for broad market exposure
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Target-date funds that automatically adjust risk as you approach retirement
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Individual stocks or bonds if you have the expertise to manage them
Automate your savings
The most important part of saving is consistency, so set up automatic contributions to your retirement accounts. This “pay yourself first” approach ensures consistent saving and helps avoid the temptation to spend money that should be set aside. I recommend spacing out your auto-contributions so your bank account doesn’t take one big hit on the first of the month, every month.
Setting up auto-pay is simple to do online, and is usually just a matter of signing in to all of your accounts and finding the right menu. Once you do, it’s time to get specific: Decide how much to contribute and when those payments should go out. Consider automatically increasing your contribution percentage each year, even by just 1%, to gradually build your savings without making too an significant impact on your monthly budget.
Max out your Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
If you have a high-deductible health plan, maximize contributions to your HSA. These accounts offer triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. After age 65, you can use HSA funds for non-medical expenses without penalty, making it an excellent additional retirement savings vehicle.
Take advantage of tax strategies
Work with a tax professional to ensure you’re taking advantage of all available tax benefits related to retirement savings. This might include:
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Traditional IRA deductions
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Saver’s credit, if you qualify
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Tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts
I recommend getting ahead of the game right now by using a spreadsheet to track tax-related information throughout the year.
Reduce your high-interest debt ASAP
High-interest debt can severely impact your ability to save for retirement. Develop a strategy to pay down credit card balances and other high-interest loans. Once you’ve eliminated these financial drains, redirect those payment amounts to your retirement savings.
Create a clear retirement budget
Planning for retirement is about a lot more than just beefing up a retirement account. Develop a detailed retirement budget to understand exactly how much you need to save. This exercise can help you:
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Identify potential areas for increased savings
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Set more precise savings goals
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Make informed decisions about lifestyle adjustments
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Plan for healthcare and long-term care costs
Another thought is to consider additional income streams, with the sole goal of putting those earnings towards retirement. Here some of the most popular ways to earn a little extra cash on the side.
Beef up your emergency fund
As always, you should maintain a robust emergency fund separate from your retirement savings. This helps prevent the need to tap into retirement accounts for unexpected expenses, which can trigger taxes and penalties while derailing your long-term savings goals.
The typical rule of thumb is to aim for six months’ worth of living expenses in your emergency fund. When you’re figuring out that number, factor in expenses like housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation, and debt payments. Non-essential expenses like vacations, entertainment, or dining out don’t belong in your “emergency” calculations.
Schedule regular self check-ins
Schedule quarterly reviews of your retirement savings strategy. Monitor your progress, adjust contributions as needed, and stay informed about changes in retirement planning regulations and opportunities. This consistent attention helps ensure you’re on track to meet your retirement goals and can make necessary adjustments promptly.
Remember that successful retirement saving is a marathon, not a sprint. By chipping away at these strategies consistently and making adjustments as needed, you can take away some of the fear and uncertainty, and significantly improve your retirement readiness in 2025 and beyond.