Geoffrey Zakarian Prime Rib Recipes

RED WINE-BRAISED SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• One day before cooking, season the short ribs liberally with salt. Allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator, uncovered, overnight.
• The next day, pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Heat a cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high to high heat. Add a thin film of canola oil and sear the ribs until brown and crusty, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a plate to rest.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Drain the scorched oil from the Dutch oven. Add a thin film of fresh canola oil, then add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and sweat the vegetables until translucent, about 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and break down, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the red wine, chicken stock and peppercorns, then put the ribs back in the pot. Tie the thyme, rosemary and bay leaves in a piece of cheesecloth and add the herb sachet to the pot.
• Bring the liquid to a simmer. Partially cover the pot to let some of the liquid evaporate and transfer to the oven. Braise the short ribs until they're nearly falling apart, about 3 hours. Serve with grits and fried shallots if desired. Garnish with chives

PRIME RIB WITH BEEF GRAVY

Steps:

• For the prime rib: Use the tip of a knife to make slits in the fat of the prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. In a small bowl, mix the salt and pepper. Create a crust of salt and pepper all over the meat. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put the prime rib on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Roast the meat for 10 minutes at this temperature, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees F. Roast until the meat registers 120 degrees F on an internal meat thermometer for a medium-rare roast, 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (about 15 minutes per pound). Remove the meat to a cutting board, loosely tent with foil and let stand 20 minutes.
• For the gravy: In the meantime, pour off most of the fat from the roasting pan, leaving about 1/4 cup. Put the roasting pan on top of the stove over medium heat. Whisk the flour into the fat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Vigorously whisk in the beef stock and mustard. Add the thyme, rosemary and garlic. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, whisking, until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the sherry vinegar and cook 1 more minute. Transfer to a serving dish.
• Remove the ties from the prime rib. Slice the prime rib and bones and serve with the gravy.

PAN ROASTED FILET MIGNON WITH GREEN PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the steaks generously with salt on both sides. Press the top and bottoms of the steaks into the peppercorns to crust on each side.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy saute pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the steaks and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Cook until the internal temperature is around 125 degrees F for medium-rare. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow them to rest.
• In the same pan the steaks were cooked in, add the shallots along with the remaining tablespoon oil and the green peppercorns and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the shallots are softened and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, then add the brandy and return the heat to medium. Cook for 1 minute. Add the beef stock and cream, then reduce the liquid by half until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt as needed.
• Turn off the heat. Swirl in the butter and melt, stirring often. Return the steaks to the pan and coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with the parsley and a splash of red wine vinegar to balance the richness of the sauce. Place the steaks on a plate, then spoon the sauce over and serve.