Celebrate Prime Rib Day!

When counting down my favorite holidays, I most certainly include Christmas, Halloween, and the 4th of July. However, there is an additional holiday on my list. While I cannot buy a greeting card for it, I can take a trip to the butcher. It's Prime Rib Day.

There are more “holiday” celebrations than days on the calendar. Most are uh, silly. Take for instance, “Vitamin C Day” or “Ferret Day.” Unless of course, you like Ferret’s, then let’s add “Unicorn Day.” All of them are celebrated in April. No matter how goofy these days are, Prime Rib Day, April 27th, is a serious celebration in my life.

Truthfully, any day I fire up the grill should be a holiday. However, if I had to pick just one food-centric day to celebrate, why not the king of beef? Prime Rib is one of my favorite cuts of beef to grill. It’s large, it’s impressive, and its rich beef flavor is second to none. This is the type of meal when the grill lid is pulled back guests will register an immediate, “Wow!”

Thankfully, Prime Rib Day is an annual event, as there are many different ways to prepare the roast. One of my favorites is the rotisserie. The slowly spinning spit and its self-basting action produces the most succulent meat. This recipe by Jamie Purviance gives you not only all of the help to make your Prime Rib Day memorable, but a wonderful pearl mushroom side to put your dinner over the top. Happy Prime Rib Day!

by Jamie Purviance

Rotisserie Prime Rib with Cognac Mushrooms and Pearl Onions

People: Serves 6
Prep Time: 45 mins
Grilling Time: 1:30 to 1:45 h

the Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1 boneless prime rib roast, 5 to 6 pounds
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1 pound medium-size firm white mushrooms, brushed clean, stems trimmed flush with the caps
8 ounces pearl onions, peeled or frozen white pearl onions, thawed
¼ cup cognac or brandy
1½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¾ cup chicken broth or stock

Instructions

01 Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over low heat (200° to 250°F). Set up the rotisserie according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
02 Combine 1 tablespoon of the salt, 2 teaspoons of the pepper, the granulated garlic, and sage. Trim the thick fat cap on the roast, leaving very little, if any, exterior fat. Using butcher’s twine, tie the roast firmly in three places into a cylindrical shape (this will help it cook evenly). Brush the roast all over with the oil and season with the spices.
03 Center the roast on the rotisserie spit and secure it with the spit forks. Make sure the roast is centered before tightening the forks completely. Place the spit into the motor and turn it on. Place a disposable foil pan under the roast on the cooking grates to collect the drippings. Grill the roast over indirect low heat, with the lid closed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat, not touching the metal spit, registers 125° to 130°F for medium rare, 1½ to 1¾ hours.
04 About 25 minutes before the roast is ready to serve, prepare the mushrooms and onions. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat on the stove, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Put the mushrooms (rounded side down first) and onions in the skillet and season with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook until the mushrooms and onions are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes, turning once after 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook until the onions are tender and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes more, turning occasionally for even cooking. Add the cognac and lemon juice to the skillet; increase the heat to medium-high and cook, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced by half, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the broth and cook until the liquid is reduced by about one-third, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and swirl the skillet, forming a slightly thickened sauce. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
05 When the roast is done, transfer to a cutting board and let rest for about 20 minutes (the internal temperature will rise a few degrees during this time). Remove the roast from the rotisserie spit and cut away the twine. Carve the roast into thick slices and serve warm with the mushrooms and onions.