Here's a way to take a good thing and make it better...at least in my opinion. I don't have any blue cheese haters in my group of friends (I simply ask them to fill out a simple form with food likes and dislikes--only kidding), so this is a big hit whenever I serve it. When you want a show-stopping main course to serve with a great bottle of red wine, I don't think you can do any better than this recipe. Now, if you have friends who are challenged (if not offended!) by blue cheese, make the Rib Roast au Jus instead. Remember, than unless you get your hands on USDA Grade Prime meat, which is unlikely unless you have ordered it well ahead from the best butcher in town, it isn't really Prime Rib Roast. You are probably roasting a Choice Grade cut, and that is just fine.
Rib Roast with Blue Cheese Crust
Makes 6 servings
To many cooks, a large, impressive rib roast is the main course of choice for a winter holiday feast. No many how many other options are considered, I usually fall back on good old rib roast. In an effort to make it different than the straightforward version I’ve offered in the past, here is a glorious roast with a delicious crust to accent the lush meat. For a truly luxurious version, use Roquefort cheese. However, I have used less expensive Maytag Blue and Danish Blue with great success. I like this roast just as it is, but you can serve a sauceboat of homemade beef broth alongside to make it “au jus.”
o Temperature is a key factor with roast beef. Let the beef stand at room temperature for 2 hours before roast so it will roast more evenly Use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature. And let the roast stand, allowing for residual heat to continue the cooking, before serving.
One 3 1/2-pound rib roast (see Note)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2/3 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
1. Trim excess fat from the surface of the roast. Season the roast all over with the salt and pepper. Let the roast stand at room temperature for at least 1 and up to 2 hours.
2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F. Stand the roast, bone side down, in a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Continue roasting for 1 hour more. The roast should be about 110°F.
4. Remove the roast in the pan from the oven. Spread the mustard over the top of the roast. Mix the bread crumbs and blue cheese together in a small bowl. Press the crumb mixture in a layer over the mustard. Return to the oven and roast until the crust is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the meat registers 130°F for medium-rare meat, about 25 minutes longer. (If the crust has browned before the roast is cooked to the desired temperature, tent the roast with aluminum foil.)
5. Carefully transfer the roast to a carving board and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Carve the roast and serve hot.
Note: For a larger roast, allow an extra 15 minutes per pound roasting time. In any case,
If you like this recipe, check out
Classic Prime Rib with Yorkshire Puddings
Tags: blue cheese , Christmas , prime rib , recipe , rib roast , roast , roast beef
