Food and Wine Pairing Made Easy!

If you like to follow the rules then here are two basic ones that should get you through the night:

Rule One: Drink red wine with meat, white wine with fish and poultry.
Rule Two: Disregard rule one and eat and drink what you like. You will hear this over and over again and it’s so true. Always go with your personal preference first!

Of course, there are some classic matches that satisfy again and again and bring out the best in both wine and food. Wine can often enhance the flavors of your food tantalizing your taste buds in ways you never knew possible and vice versa. A prime example…my husband HATES white wine. When he tries it he makes a face like someone just gave him a spoonful of cough syrup. One day we went to a wine and cheese paring and he was given Blue Castello and Sauvignon Blanc. It was then that I heard words I never though would come out of his mouth, “This wine is not bad. I actually like it.” It was a breakthrough among breakthroughs! It was his first true experience of food enhancing wine and bringing out flavors in the wine he had never experienced before. Food can have that sort of magical effect on wine and when you find that magic you just can’t help but searching for more of it.

Here are some of our favorite and classic food and wine pairings. I also like to say if you don’t know what to serve, then serve champagne or sparkling wine. It’s fun and extremely food friendly.

APPETIZERS & STARTERS
ANTIPASTO - Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Malbec
ARTICHOKES - Usually a no no with wine, but I love them with Chardonnay
ASPARAGUS - Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
CARPACCIO (beef) - Pinotage, Shiraz, Shiraz/Pinotage blend, Malbec
CARPACCIO (tuna) - Sauvignon Blanc
CAVIAR - Chenin Blanc, Champagne!
COLD MEATS - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
NUTS AND/OR OLIVES - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
OYSTERS (raw) - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
PASTA SALAD - Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
PASTA WITH CREAM SAUCE - Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
PASTA WITH SHELLFISH - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
PASTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz
PASTA WITH VEGETABLES - Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinotage, Malbec
PATÉS - Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
QUICHE - Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage Rosé, Merlot
SCALLOPS - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
SMOKED FISH (Trout, Herring) - Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

SEAFOOD
CRAB - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
LOBSTER - Chardonnay, Chardonnay/Sauvignon blend, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
MUSSELS - Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
RED SNAPPER - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SALMON - Pinotage Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SASHIMI, SUSHI - Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
SHRIMP - Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
STRIPED BASS - Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
SWORDFISH - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Pinot Grigio
TUNA - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay
OTHER WHITE FISH - Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc

MEAT & POULTRY
CHICKEN - Chardonnay, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage
CHICKEN SALAD - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
CHICKEN (smoked) - Pinotage, Merlot, Malbec
DUCK - Pinotage, Merlot, Pinotage Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec
HAM - Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Malbec, Pinotage Rosé
HAMBURGER - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
LAMB (grilled, broiled) - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage
PHEASANT - Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
QUAIL - Pinotage, Malbec
RABBIT - Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec
SAUSAGE - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec
STEAK (grilled, broiled) - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec
TURKEY - Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinotage Rosé
VEAL - Chardonnay, Merlot
VENISON - Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
COUSCOUS - Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage Rosé
CURRY, FISH or CHICKEN - Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage Rosé
PIZZA - Merlot, Pinotage Rosé, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Malbec
SPICY CHINESE - Savignon Blanc, Pino Grigio, Merlot, Pinotage Rosé
SPICY MEXICAN - Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Malbec
THAI - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio

CHEESES
*GOAT - SOFT: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage
- HARD: Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

*COW & SHEEP - MEDIUM: Pinotage, Shiraz
- HARD: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc

If you are a true rule follower here are some more:

Generally, wines and foods belonging to the same culture are compatible; for example, think Italian wines with Italian food.

Good red wines tend to be dry and rich, sometimes with a tart or astringent quality. They will go better with hearty or highly seasoned foods such as beef, pork, game, duck, goose and pasta dishes. The ‘red with red’ rule works well because the astringency of the tannins cuts through the viscosity of the fat. Reach for a tannic Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Petite Syrah or Zinfandel, especially if the meat is served with a heavy sauce. Rare prime rib tastes almost sweet, so it’s perfect with a lighter bodied Merlot or Beaujolais.

White wines are usually lighter in body and flavor and can range from dry and crisp to sweet and fragrant. Serve these wines with foods such as chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, ham and veal. Pair a honey or brown sugar glazed ham with a white wine that’s not too dry - possibly a Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer or Riesling.

Rosé wines are in fact pale red wines; their lighter color is due to the shorter time the skins are left with the juice during fermentation. Rosé, or blush, wines can range from dry to sweet. These wines should compliment ham, fried chicken, shellfish, cold beef and picnic style foods.

Ahhh, holiday stress. In my opinion if you can’t decide what wine to serve, then serve Champagne. You can find a great budget friendly champagne that will really get the festivities kicked off in the right way. Gloria Ferrer has some really nice sparkling wines to try that won’t hurt your wallet. OR…If you serve turkey with sweet side dishes like glazed carrots or sweet potatoes, choose a white wine with a hint of sweetness, like Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Gewurztraminer. If some dishes have a more savory flavor, try Sauvignon Blanc or a lighter bodied Chardonnay. For a bird with spicy sausage stuffing, serve Pinotage or a try a Pinot Noir.

Don’t match strong to delicate. Pairing a big, powerful, high-alcohol or high-tannin wine with a light, delicate dish (and vice versa) is rarely a good idea.

Acidity is your friend. People tend to be wary of wines described as “high acid,” like Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet. But there’s no better quality in a wine for matching rich, creamy or cheesy sauces, deep-fried foods or fish dishes; also note, tart wines go better with tart foods.

Follow the don’t-upstage-the-star rule. If you have an amazing bottle of wine you want to show off, especially an older vintage (they tend to be more subtle, their flavors less flamboyant), don’t serve a wildly complex dish with it. A simple dish will allow the wine to be the center of attention.

Dessert, or fortified wines, are heavier and sweeter than table wines and frequently have a higher alcohol content. They are usually served alone or with cheese, nuts, fruit or sweets at the end of the meal.

If you don’t like rules, like me, then toss all of these out the door and start experimenting. I’d love to hear about combinations that have worked for you that you can’t get enough of. My rule-breaking favorite is steamed artichokes dipped in butter and a nice oaky California style Chardonnay. Send me your favs and I’ll post them here!

CHEERS!

Wine and Spirits Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Information about the Author:

Jennifer de Jong is a long time wine drinker, enjoyer of wine, and non-wine-snob. She is the founder of Vino Vixenz. A snob-free zone to learn wine tasting.

Arthritis Pain Relief Through Food - Look In the Kitchen Before the Medicine Cabinet

Truth or Myth?
1. Arthritis affects only elderly people.
2. Arthritis is only minor aches and pains.
3. Arthritis can never be treated.

Answers:
1. Myth. Arthritis affects any age.
2. Myth. Arthritis can be permanently debilitating.
3. Myth. The FDA recently approved several new treatments for arthritis.

If you suffer from arthritis, you probably knew those are myths! In fact, there are over 100 conditions of arthritis crippling millions of Americans. So, how do people get arthritis? This condition is caused by an inflammation of the lining of joints. This can lead to joint and muscoloskeletal pain and eventual even loss of some mobility. The cause of arthritis is still unknown to doctors.

Before you go wallow in the depths of despair, spend your hard-earned money on pricey pain relievers, or live one more day with the debilitating pain, look in your kitchen cupboards first! Even though there is no known cure yet, your arthritis can be treated with simple changes that you can make such as:

1. Eating a variety of healthy foods.
2. Maintaining an ideal weight.
3. Avoiding too much high fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol foods.
4. Eating foods high in fiber.
5. Limiting alcohol consumption.

Deep fried, high sodium, sugary, and oily foods are bad enough for anybody, but did you know these foods could actually increase or trigger your arthritis pain? Here’s a list of healthier choices of foods that can actually decrease and ease the pain of arthritis:

Anchovies
Apples
Cantaloupe
Chile peppers
Curry
Fish
Fresh green and yellow vegetables
Garlic
Ginger
Grapefruit
Mango
Nuts
Oysters
Papaya
Peas
Red Grapes
Salmon
Water

Most of these foods can be found at your favorite grocery store and at a reasonable low price, and some of these foods can be found in your kitchen already! Not only are these foods delicious, they contain unique properties that can ease your arthritis pain.

Don’t care to bite into grapefruit, anchovies, or garlic themselves? Here’s a healthy menu that will tantalize your taste buds and will ease your arthritis pain:

Breakfast:
Quesadilla with Melon Salsa

Lunch:
Anchovies: Striped Bass in Horseradish Crust in Anchovy Broth with Parsnip Puree

Dinner:
Garlic: Garlic Herb-Crusted Prime Rib Roast

Be creative! You’re the chef in your kitchen. Create healthy and new recipes all while easing the pain of your arthritis.

Truth or Myth?
1. You don’t have to suffer from arthritis.
2. You can take control of your life.
3. You can ease arthritis through the healthy choices you make each day.

Answers:
1. Truth. By eating healthier foods, you can ease your arthritis pain.
2. Truth. Only you have the power to change your life.
3. Truth. By exchanging harmful and unhealthy foods, you can ease the pain of arthritis.

Do you need a little more help? You’re not alone! Rhumatol is proven help those who suffer from arthritis live a life free of the debilitating and painful condition. Now you have the keys to unlock the chains of the prison, also known as arthritis.

Get Juicy Prime Rib Leads On A Hot Dog Budget

Online marketing is an art and a science. It is imperative that you, as a marketer, understand both components. To err on either side will cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars before you can click through to your on-line banking account!

Knowing this, there are several things that a marketer can do to create an advertising campaign that will drive targeted, inexpensive traffic to your goods and services. The first thing to realize is that online marketing is a numbers game. Accept it. It is a natural force of the Internet. Your job is to plan, track results, tweak, track results again and so on until you have found an acceptable spot to put your campaign on autopilot.

The art of Internet marketing is to creatively find ways to generate as many targeted leads as possible. This requires creative copy, creative avenues of distribution of your information and creative ways to stretch your advertising budget and time.

The purpose of this article is to give you a couple of proven ways to do all of these things and increase your odds of success in your online marketing campaign. Let me start with a caution about some things that do not work and/or are an inefficient use of your time and money. Some examples are free classified ads, creating an expensive website and simply parking it on the web, buying cheap leads of prospects that don’t have any want or desire for YOUR goods and mass distribution software. There are many more, but the general point is that you can spend a lot of time and money generating traffic that isn’t looking for what you have.

The fist way to create FREE leads that can be extremely targeted is through article submissions. The only thing this costs you is your time, and with a little practice you can become quite efficient. Articles can expose you to thousands of potential readers who are interested in your targeted topic of discussion. Once someone has taken time to read your article, they are now a much more qualified lead. Here are the major components of successful article submission:

1. Create a unique and interesting headline. You have a few seconds, at most, to catch someone’s attention about what you have to say. Your title should receive the majority of your focus and creative juices.

2. Provide valuable content. It doesn’t have to be rocket science, but it should be content with a new twist, personal application, step-by-step instructions, etc.

3. Write as an expert. Whether you think so or not, you are an expert in many areas whether it is through unique knowledge, study or personal experience.

4. Create keyword rich content. The most inexpensive traffic available is called “organic” traffic. Organic traffic is unpaid search listings that Search Engines provide as a result of its “crawling” registered web sites. These crawling programs (crawlers) are also known as “spiders” or “robots”. Crawlers start at the registered home page, and usually follow the hyperlinks it finds, to get to pages inside the web site (internal links). Crawlers start gathering information about those pages and storing it and indexing it in the Search Engine database where it goes to find pertinent information for the various searches. As a general rule, your keyword should be used up to, but no more than 3% of the total word count in your article.

5. Do not use marketing type verbiage. Your article is NOT a sales letter. Prospective leads are looking for information. They do not want to be “tricked” into a sales pitch. You must have the reader’s desire for valuable applicable knowledge as your top priority.

6. Keep the length of your article to about 300-1000 words. Write in short manageable paragraphs that are easy to read.

7. Only submit your article to sites with an Alexa rating of 50,000 or more. Anything less does not generate enough traffic exposure. You can find the Alexa ranking of any site by visiting www.alexa.com.

8. Give readers a way to contact you: direct them to your website, email address and/or telephone number. Here are some good places to submit your articles. Most all of them are free. Submit to several of them at a time to increase your exposure: www.goarticles.com, www.freesticky.com, www.ezinearticles.com, www.isnare.com, www.articlecity.com, www.submitcontent.com, www.articlesbase.com, www.articledashboard.com, www.articlemarketer.com.

Another free and very time efficient way to generate targeted traffic is through press releases. Press releases are a great way to expose you to massive amounts of free advertising. Typically, press releases are issued to announce things like a new product, new breakthrough, record sales, release of new information. Your press release should not read like an advertisement. What you do want to do is solve a problem, be controversial or position yourself as having something unique and different.

Again, the headline needs to catchy. There are editors out there looking for information that is valuable to their readers. You won’t even get the chance to convince publishers that your information is valuable if the title doesn’t lure them to read further. Always write in third person when crafting a press release, and keep the length to no more than a page.

If you are in network marketing, you should look into the advertising policies of your company carefully. They will most likely have restrictions about using the company name, specific names of products and contact with media.

You can still craft a compelling press release without violating any of those restrictions. For instance, you may have a network marketing business in the wellness industry. Instead of writing about XYZ Company’s new product called XXXX, you might write about the new studies that have been done on its main active ingredient. Or, you might write about a breakthrough treatment for whatever condition XXXX treats. You can then have any interested reader contact you for more information. The results of this type of advertising are very targeted informed leads that cost you the price of a fax at most.

A few places where you can submit free press releases on the web are: www.prweb.com, www.free-press-release.com, www.i-newswire.com and www.prleap.com.

The name of the game in online marketing is get the most targeted leads for the least amount of time and money. Articles and press releases are the two best ways that I have seen to accomplish this task when you are in the beginning stages of learning the ropes of internet marketing.

If you are interested in learning more about how to get targeted traffic and other proven successful marketing techniques visit www.newmlmnow.com or contact Holly Beitel at 918-698-6674.

Holly Beitel is a CPA and small business consultant. She has two marketing companies and consults in a variety of areas including: start-up, business planning, accounting, tax and marketing/advertising. Recent projects include educating on network marketing as a business model, putting together functional marketing campaigns and doing due diligence. For additional marketing training and tips see http://www.newmlmnow.com

Traditional Prime Rib

I just love Prime Rib, but I want it in the traditional manner! Old-School style with au jus and Yorkshire pudding! My mother makes melt-in-your-mouth prime rib, and this is her recipe, as told by me…LOL :D
* This is a very easy recipe calling for only 4 ingredients!

Type: Main

Serve With: Mashed potatoes and gravy, Yorkshire pudding, turnip or any other delicious side dish!

Prep Time: ~ 10 min

Cook Time: ~ 1 hr, 45 min

Yield: Plenty for 4 people

Ingredients:

~ 3 lb Prime rib

2 cloves Garlic - Whole

2 1/2 tbsp Flour - For dredging

~ 1 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions:

1. Rinse prime rib under cool water and pat dry. If not already tied with string, tie it up around the large circumference of the roast.

2. Peel cloves of garlic and rub vigorously all over roast. With remaining partial pieces, stick into a whole in the meat.

3. Cover roast in freshly cracked black pepper, and lightly dredge with flour on all sides, and put in a baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

* Tip: Do not use salt on the meat…It makes it tough!

4. Put in Preheated oven of 500 F for 10 min.

5. After 10 min, turn heat down to 300 F for ~ 1 hr.

6. Turn down to 200 F while preparing other side dishes: ~ 30 min

7. When internal temperature reaches ~ 160 degrees for medium doneness, it is finished.

8. Let sit on counter for 5 min to let the meat rest covered in aluminum foil.

9. Slice and Enjoy!

***

This was entirely delicious! I just love my mom’s recipe! Try it, you’ll be a believer!

I hope you enjoy this recipe…

Eat Deliciously!

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Cooking With Kimberly - Decadent Cooking from Home - Find a Delicious Cooking Recipe, Great Products and Helpful Tips & Information that will help you Explore the Joy of Cooking!

Discover more Amazing Beef Recipes and Check out Kimberly’s Cooking Secrets at: http://www.CookingWithKimberly.com

Kimberly Edwards - EzineArticles Expert Author

Just Simply Good Stuff! Prime Rib Rub Recipes for Tacos, Prime Rib, Venison & Steak

Holiday Prime Rib Roast

Prime Rib Rub
1 Prime Rib Roast 7-8 lbs (or about 4-5 ribs)
Directions
Ask the butcher for the small end of the Prime.
Season generously on all sides with our Prime Rib Rub,
Place Roast bone side down in a hot pre-heated oven at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees and cook about 20 to 30 minutes per pound.
Test the beef with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the roast (center of the eye) being careful not to touch the bone. Remove the roast when the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees for rare, 140 for medium rare or 150 degrees for medium.
Cover the roast loosely with aluminum foil and let sit for 1/2 hour. The internal roast temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees even after you take it out of the oven.
Just Simply Smokin! Prime Rib
7-8 lb Prime Rib Roast
Prime Rib Rub amount determined by roast size
2 tsp Smoky Mesquite salt
2 oz Apple Wood or favorite smoking wood
Directions
Season Prime Rib Roast with JSGS Prime Rib Rub on all sides, Sprinkle lightly with Smoky Mesquite Salt on all sides. Place Roast in Smoker. Add Apple Wood or your favorite wood according to mfg. instructions. Smoke @ 225 degrees for 4-6 hrs depending on desired doneness Increase smoking times for medium or medium well. Enjoy!
Shredded Prime Rib Tacos
1-2 Tbsp Beyond the Border
Yellow onion Chopped
Green Onion Chopped
Tomato Chopped
Pickled Jalapeño slices
Vinegar from the Jalapeños
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Shredded Lettuce
Taco Shells pre-cooked in box
Salsa
Directions
De-bone and remove fat from roast, start at 1″ from edge of roast place 2 forks in meat and pull away from each other forming shreds of meat or slice thin place in pot sprinkle with 1-2 Tbsp Beyond the Border, 1-2 Tbsp water, 1-2 Tbsp Jalapeño Vinegar to keep moist, white onion chopped, cover, heat on low till warm throughout. Turn oven on 300 degrees, place taco shells on oven rack, heat 5-6 minutes watch close! Remove shells; fill with shredded Prime Rib meat, cheese, onion, lettuce, jalapeños, tomato, salsa to taste. Enjoy!
Prime Rib Leftovers
•Chop or shred leftover prime rib, add to your favorite barbecue sauce for barbecue beef burgers
•Use for beef hash and serve with eggs and toast
•Slice thin and use for French dips
•Blackened Ribeye
•Beef Stroganoff
•Taco Salad

At http://www.justsimplygoodstuff.com we offer superior hand crafted, all natural spice mixes and naturally grown chile products with no added coloring or artificial preservatives. We grind and mix individual herbs and spices to create our own unique blends. If you limit your salt intake or just prefer to add your own salt we have three no salt blends. We’re committed to doing our part in offering quality ingredients for your meals as well as for your lifestyle At JSGS! we like to think of our products as green friendly as well as healthy.

Robin Carter creates intriguing spice blends at Just Simply Good Stuff! in Sagle, Idaho. She decided when she turned 50 she wanted to continue living in north Idaho and start a business doing what she loved and that was cooking! Having no formal training she just “went for it” knowing it was now or never! Part of the criteria was that the product had to be unique, tasty, light weight and easy to ship. Voila! A business was born. For more recipes and information http://justsimplygoodstuff.com/cart/index.php?main_page=page&id=8&chapter=0 also look for Just Simply Good Stuff! “Beyond the Border Bean Dip” Recipe in the 2008 summer issue of http://www.cdapress.com/cdamagazine/issues.php Coeur d’Alene Magazine by Hagadone Corporation from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Boneless Prime Roast Recipe

When it comes to prime rib and there are two basic camps. One side says you must cook it with the bones attached. The idea is that the bones give more flavor to the meat. The other side says that the meat can be just as flavorful without the bones, and easier to carve. If you want to give it a try, here is a boneless prime roast recipe. There’s plenty of variations on the basic boneless prime roast recipe so feel free to improvise.

Boneless roasts are sometimes called ribeye roasts or “eye of the rib”. A boneless roast serves more people per pound — you can count on getting two servings per pound rather than about 1 1/2 servings per pound for a standing rib roast. An eight or ten pound roast is perfect for this boneless prime roast recipe.

You can marinate the roast before you cook it for extra flavor, although many think that the beef is tasty enough as is. Marinating can also make the meat more tender. If you decide to marinate the meat, let it soak for an hour or two before making this boneless prime roast recipe.

Before you cook the meat, make sure that it has reached room temperature. This means you should take it out of the refrigerator about two hours before it is put in the oven. A good prime rib roast recipe will tell you to rub of exterior of the meat with horseradish or Worcestershire powder.

Preheat the oven to 500° and place a layer of rock salt in the bottom of the roasting pan. The layer of salt should be about 1 inch deep. Sprinkle the salt with about half a cup of warm water and place the roast on top of the salt. The boneless prime rib recipe tells you to cover the roast completely with rock salt.

The reason this boneless prime rib recipe uses rock salt is to seal the exterior of the meat so that it remains tasty and juicy. The beef will not taste salty — the salt crust is removed before serving.

Cook the meat for about 15 minutes per pound keeping the door of the oven closed for the entire cooking time. When it is done, let it sit for about 15 minutes before serving. Your guests will love this boneless prime rib recipe!

You are free to publish the above article in your ezine or website, provided credit in the form of an (HTML clickable) hyperlink is given to the author.

Hans is author of http://www.steaks-guide.com/ and the barbeque and grill section of http://www.patio-furniture-ideas.com/

Hans Dekker - EzineArticles Expert Author

How To Make Sure You Are Buying The Best Prime Rib

Six Ways to Make Sure you are Buying the Best Prime Rib Available

The best grade of rib or any type of beef is of course prime grade. The problem comes in when trying to buy prime grade beef, there is only 20 percent of prime grade beef in America cut and most of this grade of beef finds its way to those fancy restaurants. Some prime rib can be found in your local grocery store and some in the butcher shop. If you are lucky enough to find prime grade then you will still need to know how to make sure you are buying the best prime rib available. Here are some things to look for and some to steer away from.

Now, you know what prime rib is but did you know that that the rib cut includes cuts like the Rib Roast, the Rib eye Steak and the back ribs and is the least tender of all the other sections. So, when you begin to look at the prime ribs in the store you will want to seek out the more flavorful and best you can find in order to prepare a delectable meal. With this guide you should be able to make sure you are buying the best prime rib you can find.

  1. Always look at the date the prime rib was packaged. This is an indicator as to how long it has been sitting around in the store. Look at the color of the prime rib; it should have a bright red color and no dry or brown edges. Check for any damage to the packaging and wrapping.
  2. Buying prime rib that has been injected with flavorings is also a very bad idea. Many people believe that this process will ensure that their prime rib is flavorful and juicy but that is not the case. Usually the flavorings will cause the meat to break down and become mushy. This can produce a tougher prime rib.
  3. Several people also search out prime rib that has been tenderized by the butcher, but once again that is another error. When the butcher tenderizers the prime rib or any beef he beats and pierces the meat. Any piercing allows the natural juices and flavorings to escape. This will not only leave your meat un-flavorful but it will also be tough.
  4. Next is how the prime rib is aged. The best method of drying your prime rib is dry aged. . Dry aging is when the meat is taken from the bag that it arrives in to the butcher and is hung in a cooler for a certain amount of time to dry out. This method allows for the meat to shrink naturally. Most meat you find in your supermarket has been cut beside the slaughter house, wrapped in plastic and has aged on the way to the store in a Styrofoam packaging and plastic. This is for sure not the way to get a great tasting prime rib. You can talk with the butcher at your supermarket and ask him about the aging process used if he knows. If not and you desire the best prime rib around, then you should go directly to a butcher shop and talk with them.
  5. Not only should your prime rib be bright red but it should have some fat. This is called marbling. The fat should be in thin lines and distributed evenly throughout the prime rib. The marbling will give your prime rib more flavor.
  6. You also want to buy prime rib that is cut close to the bone or with the bone still intact as much of the flavoring also comes from the bone marrow.
  7. With these few tips you should know how to make sure you are buying the best prime rib.

Hans Dekker - EzineArticles Expert Author