Ep 12. Prime Rib With All the Fixings

In Cook's Country season 9 episode 12, titled "Prime Rib With All the Fixings," the team sets out to perfect a classic holiday centerpiece: prime rib. Hosts Bridget and Julia take viewers through the process of selecting the right cut of meat, preparing a flavorful seasoning rub, and achieving the perfect balance of doneness for the ultimate prime rib dish. Along the way, the crew also shares tips and tricks for serving up classic holiday sides, including a smooth and velvety mashed potato recipe and a tangy horseradish cream sauce.

The episode kicks off with Bridget and Julia exploring the differences between "standing rib roast" and "prime rib." They explain that prime rib refers to any rib roast that is graded prime or choice, while standing rib roast is more of a general term for this cut of beef. They also discuss how to make sure you're buying the right cut of meat, including checking for marbling and avoiding pre-seasoned or injected products.

Once the perfect cut of meat is selected, it's time to prepare the seasoning rub. The Cook's Country team opts for a mixture of salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary to create a bold flavor profile that will complement the rich flavor of the prime rib. Bridget and Julia demonstrate how to carefully pat the rub onto the meat, ensuring that every inch is coated.

Next up, it's time to start cooking. The team outlines the process of searing the meat in a hot pan to create that coveted crust, before moving it to the oven to finish cooking low and slow. They discuss how to use a meat thermometer to measure doneness, explaining the difference between rare, medium rare, and medium.

While the prime rib cooks, the Cook's Country team turns their attention to the sides. They share a recipe for mashed potatoes that will make any carb lover's heart skip a beat – featuring plenty of butter, cream, and garlic for richness and flavor. They also whip up a tangy horseradish cream sauce that's the perfect accompaniment to the beef.

Finally, the moment of truth arrives – it's time to slice into that perfectly cooked prime rib. Bridget and Julia show viewers how to carve the meat carefully, taking care to preserve the juiciness and tenderness of the beef. The result is a stunning holiday centerpiece, surrounded by all the fixings and ready to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Overall, episode 12 of Cook's Country season 9 is a perfect primer on how to prepare a show-stopping prime rib for the holiday season. With plenty of helpful tips and tricks and mouth-watering recipe ideas, it's the ultimate guide to creating a classic, crowd-pleasing holiday meal.