James Martin Fore Rib Of Beef Food

HERB & PEPPER CRUSTED RIB OF BEEF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the rock salt, peppercorns, garlic, rosemary, parsley and olive oil. Rub this mixture all over the beef rib then place in a roasting tin. Put in the oven and cook for 30 mins, then turn the oven down to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook for a further 1 hr 20 mins. Remove from the oven, transfer the beef to a board, cover with tin foil and rest for 30 mins before carving.
• While the beef rests, make the gravy. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of fat from the roasting tin and reserve any juices. Fry the onions in the roasting tin over a medium heat for about 10 mins, then add the wine, stock and reserved juices. Keep cooking for a further 10 mins to reduce to a thick sauce, season well and serve alongside the roast beef.

HERB-SCENTED SLOW-ROASTED RIB OF BEEF

Steps:

• Take the beef out of the fridge and leave it to come up to temperature overnight or for at least three hours. Tip the garlic and all the herbs and spices into a large roasting tin and, using a blow torch or under a hot grill, singe the herbs until they start to smoulder (if using a grill to do this, do not leave it unattended), then leave to cool slightly.
• Heat oven to 100C/80C fan/gas ¼. Rub a tbsp of salt over the meat, then sit the joint on top of the herbs. Pour over the wine, then tightly tent the tin in a couple of sheets of extra-wide foil. Roast in the oven for 1 hr, then reduce the temperature to 70C/50C fan (if you have a gas oven, don't adjust the temperature), and slow roast for 3 hrs more.
• Remove the foil, then insert a digital probe into the middle of the joint - when the temperature reaches around 60C, it's ready. If the meat is not up to temperature, increase oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2, and roast with the foil off, checking the temperature every 15 mins. While the beef is cooking, make the glaze by whisking all the ingredients together.
• When the beef is cooked, remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Return the beef to the oven for 5 mins to crisp and blister the fat, then generously brush the glaze all over the joint and return to the oven for 5 mins until sticky and slighty charred - keep an eye on it, as it will burn very easily at this stage. Lift the beef onto a chopping board and leave to rest for 20 mins.
• To make a herby gravy, put the roasting tin over a low heat and stir in the flour to make a gloopy paste. Add in any remaining glaze, then carefully pour in 500ml boiling water. Boil for a few minutes, then strain into a small pan and keep warm. Serve the beef in thick slices, with gravy on the side.

BEER-BRAISED SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• First, make the marinade. Mix the spices and 3 tbsp salt in a bowl, then stir in the oil to make a paste. Use a knife to make a deep hole in each short rib, then rub the spice mix all over and into the hole, working the flavour into the meat. Place on a tray, cover and chill overnight.
• The next day, heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan, tip in the onions and fry until you start to get a deep, rich colour - about 20 mins. Don't be scared of the colour, this will add amazing savoury sweetness to the dish. Pour in the beer and boil to reduce by half, then add the stock, treacle, thyme and oak chips, if using. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Place the marinated short ribs in your largest roasting tin. Pour over the onion and beer braising liquid, then cover tightly with foil. Transfer to the oven and cook the short ribs for 5 hrs or until really tender.
• Once the ribs are cooked, remove and put on a plate to rest and cool. Strain the braising liquid into a saucepan. Once settled, use a ladle to remove the top layer of fat, then set over a high heat. Simmer the sauce until it becomes rich and glossy, then whisk in the ketchup, mustard and brown sauce.
• To barbecue the ribs, heat your coals until ashen or set a gas barbecue to medium. Cook the ribs until nicely charred and hot all the way through, then baste with the sauce to finish and cook until sticky. To cook them indoors, heat the grill. Set a wire rack over an oven tray and place the ribs on top. Baste well with the sauce and grill, basting with the sauce a few times, until it forms a charred, sticky crust. Set aside to rest before serving with the onion rings and slaw (see Goes well with).