I used to be really intimidated and think that prime rib was very difficult to make. When I finally made it, I was so surprised by how easy it was. Now, this is our traditional meal for Christmas Eve, when we celebrate with my parents, brothers, and grandmother Mema. Technically, this is a beef rib roast, as the “prime” cuts all go to restaurants and we buy “choice” from the butcher, but we call it prime rib anyway. I figured I’d post the recipe a little early, since people might want to try it for the holidays, and since I wanted to refresh my memory of how to cook it for when I go shopping this weekend. A rule of thumb will be one rib to feed two people, but I know the big guys in my family like a rib each, so I bought a 5 rib roast last year. There were plenty of leftovers and the dogs loved the bones. (A good rule is to not give them more than one. Last year the dogs were sick all over our very new house on Christmas Eve).
Beef Rib Roast
- a 3 or 4 rib roast, 6-8 lbs
- 5 smashed garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup prepared horseradish
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup cracked black peppercorns
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 halved garlic heads
- 2 carrots, cut in large chunks
- 2 parsnips, cut in large chunks
- 1 halved red onion
Lay the beef, bone side down, in a large roasting pan. The bones will act as a rack as it roasts. Mash together the garlic, salt, pepper, horseradish and oil. Rub this mixture all over the roast. Scatter the garlic heads, carrots, parsnips, and red onion all around the roast. Roast at 350°F for 20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature is 125 in the middle for medium rare. Remove the roast to a large cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
To carve, you can cut off all of the ribs and slice, or slice and serve with the bone. This roast is especially nice served with horseradish sauce (combine equal parts sour cream and prepared horseradish), sauteed mushrooms, roasted carrots, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. This makes a very special meal for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any other special occasion.
Farmer's Daughter 