Standing Rib Roast 926

Audrey

This is from Martha Stewart (marthastewart.com) - hers is the best method I've found, and I'm here in beef country - I would probably get a larger one than 3 ribs, just so I'd have leftovers for French Dip Sandwiches, and the like. Have the butcher trim as Martha suggests; the bones add LOTS of flavor and good juices for gravy, "au jus" and the like.

"Prime rib is another name for a standing rib roast. Real prime beef is sold only in the best butcher shops and restaurants. Ask for the first cut, which is the first three ribs in the short end of the beef. A trimmed three-rib roast, with the chine (backbone) and short ribs cut off, should weigh about nine pounds and feed six to eight people. Ask the butcher to include the short ribs-cooked with the roast, they will add juice, fat, and flavor to the drippings.

After the roast has cooked, it will need to rest in order for the juices to redistribute themselves back through the meat. During this time, the roast will continue cooking with heat retained from the oven, and the meat's internal temperature will rise an average of ten degrees. While the roast is resting, Martha enhances the pan juices with a simple reduction of red wine; she then uses the same flavor-laden roasting pan for the Yorkshire pudding that will be served with it.

Prime Rib Serves 6 to 8

1 three-rib prime-rib roast, first cut, trimmed and tied 2 tablespoons coarse salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper 3 short ribs, tied 1 1-2 cups dry red wine

Step 1: Trim Excess Fat Have the butcher tie roast with kitchen twine to keep outer layer of meat from pulling away from inner rib eye. Tie short ribs for easy handling. Trim roast of excess fat but not the thin layer of fat the butcher leaves on the roast to protect and baste it while it cooks. To cook evenly, the roast must not be cold-let it stand at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Step 2: Season the Roast Place short ribs and roast, fat side up, in a heavy stainless-steel or other metal pan. (Nonstick pans yield fewer of the cooked-on bits that make tasty juices.) The rib bones are a natural rack; you won't need a metal one. Rub the meat all over with salt and black pepper.

Step 3: Check Temperature With an Instant-Read Thermometer Preheat oven to 450¡. Transfer roast to the lowest rack, and cook 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325¡, but don't open the door. For beef that's rare in the center and brown and crispy on the ends, cook for 1 hour and 25 minutes more. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Stick the probe about halfway into the thick end of roast between two ribs, making sure that it's not near a bone. (Bones conduct heat through the roast and are hot.) It should read around 115¡ if done; if not, return roast to oven, and check temperature at 10-minute intervals. (While roast is resting, it will continue cooking, and the temperature will increase about 10¡.)

Step 4: Pour off Drippings Transfer roast to a large platter. Place near stove to keep warm. Keep the short ribs as a snack or to use when making soup. Do not cover the roast, or the crisp exterior will get soggy. Pour all the drippings from the pan into a fat separator. These beef drippings are an essential ingredient in Yorkshire pudding.

Step 5: Deglaze the Pan Place roasting pan over medium-high heat on top of stove. Carefully pour wine into the pan. Bring to a boil, and use a wooden spoon to scrape off the caramelized and crispy brown bits that are stuck to the sides. These crispy bits will add flavor to the pan juices. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 8 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Place a fine sieve (or a strainer lined with lightly dampened cheesecloth) in a medium heat-proof bowl, and pour juices through. Using a wooden spoon, press down on any remaining solids to extract all the juices. Discard the solids. Cover the bowl tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Keep the juices warm by setting the bowl over a saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water.

Step 6: Pour Yorkshire Pudding Batter into the Roasting Pan Add 1-4 cup of the reserved pan drippings from the fat separator to the roasting pan. Heat the pan with the drippings in a 425¡ oven for 5 minutes. Remove the cold Yorkshire pudding batter from the refrigerator, stir well, and quickly pour into the pan. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until pudding has risen and is golden brown.

Step 7: Remove Ribs to Carve Roast While pudding bakes, cut the twine with kitchen shears and remove from roast. Arrange roast with bones perpendicular to platter. Grip the bones with one hand. With the other hand, slide the sharpened knife straight down between the meat and the bones, separating the two as you cut down. Continue until the bones are completely separated. Transfer the roast to a serving platter where it can easily be sliced. Carve roast in thick slices, and serve with warm juices and Yorkshire pudding.

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

To most Americans, Yorkshire pudding does not seem like a pudding at all: It is savory, not sweet. Think of it as a jumbo popover. As with popovers, the batter must be very cold and the roasting pan very hot: The reaction between the two gives the pudding its puffy form. Make the batter the day before, place it in the refrigerator to chill, and cook it right in the roasting pan while the prime rib rests.

RECIPE Yorkshire Pudding Serves 8

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 6 large eggs 2 1-2 cups milk

1. Sift together flour and salt. Place in bowl; make a well, and place eggs in center. Slowly whisk eggs into flour mixture until a paste forms. Gradually whisk in 1-2 cup milk. Gradually whisk in remaining 2 cups milk. Cover with plastic; chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, or overnight.

2. When roast is finished, set oven at 425¡. Deglaze pan, and pour 1-4 cup of the reserved pan drippings into roasting pan. Heat pan and drippings until very hot, about 5 minutes. Remove batter from refrigerator, and shake or whisk well; quickly pour into hot pan. Cook until crisp and golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve each person a large, warm, crispy-edged wedge of pudding with prime rib."

This is just fantastic for a big or small holiday dinner. I do it every year when my family is home at Christmas, and haven't found any way to improve it.

Enjoy!

N.