prime rib...

i remember the first time i really enjoyed prime rib. not the many times in the Vegas buffets that i learned what it was, but rather my best friends birthday.. i don't remember what age she was turning but that just shows the countless birthday dinners we've had for each other. this was the first of many that would come from our friendship.

we went to Lawry's prime rib house. i was the designated chauffeur of all the ladies in attendance. we all got dressed up.. we were in the whole just turning 20 years so it was pretty cool to be Beverly hills having dinner. i had the traditional everything that the place was known for. the spinning salad *which i think everyone should see and experience once in their life...then of course the slice of prime rib medium rare, with horseradish sauce, and mashed potatoes, a side of mushrooms and Yorkshire pudding. we didn't do dessert there.. but it didn't matter the prime rib was amazing.. just tasty and filled with just enough bite that after seconds it would just melted down your throat. it was simply amazing. and of course the beauty of going to Lawry's is that its a blast from the past. back when times were good and people came to these places to have someone in a tuxedo carve your meat right in front of you. and from this golden domed hot food station on wheels. it was simply a dream to see all the decant food service in front of you. and back to that spinning salad.. i knew it was going to be amazing as soon as she came and set up the spinning salad station... a large bowl filled with crushed ice. another bowl filled with our chilled salad... the dressing on the side waiting to be joined with the greens and a pair of salad forks. and in an instant she started the show..spinning the bowl of greens in the bowl of ice while from a high hand did the dressing drizzled down in a long stream as the other hand tossed the salad.. jeez all that for a salad.. i was sure the food was going to be amazing.. it was.

that was the last time i pretty much remembered moments with prime rib, that was until i was asked to cook two 14-16 lbs bone in prime rib for a private dinner i was catering on New Years Eve. After lots of research and prayer.. it came out perfect.. a bit terrifying actually. that a young self taught foodie/chef took on such a task. i guess i had to prove to myself that i was able to cook and people would like it. from that one event, i learned that i was naturally in love with food and cooking. simply that. tonight i made prime rib for the Christmas dinner. we didn't do trees or presents in the actual tradition but rather the dinner was the focus of the day. it was good. just right, perfectly pink and warm with Au Jus soaked into the meat. it was delightful. perhaps prime rib will always be a magical roast for me. it makes me think of happy times. times of truth and times of simplicity. i think for someone who loves meat.. having a perfectly done piece of beef is caveman gourmet. food at its simplest and at its best.