Main CourseLearn the Difference Between Prime Rib Steak and Other Steaks
Prime rib steak is a little bit different than a regular steak, since it"s usually cooked as a roast, not on the grill. The prime rib comes from the primal rib, rather than specifically being Prime grade meat. Officially, it"s called a beef rib roast, and it may also be referred to as a ribeye.
A slice of prime rib will include part of the rib bone itself and the lip or cap - fat marbled muscle. We usually cook steak by rubbing the outside with seasonings and salt, and slow reasting it over dry heat, though smoking it for two to three hours before roasting is a popular barbecue method.
It"s important not to mistake prime rib for a Prime grade steak. Generally, you can"t find this grade of meat at the grocery store, though there are plenty of steak options in Choice and Select grades. Don"t go for the leanest meat, however. It has less flavor, and a good prime rib will include fat marbling. This offers more flavor, as does the bone included in the steak. Look for bright red steak with thin white marbling, not dark red or gray meat. Fat should never be yellow or dingy looking.
For the best meat, try dry aging. This is a little harder to find, and is more likely to be available at a butcher shop than at a supermarket. Dry aged meat has a lot of shrinkage, and will be more expensive. However, the taste is worth it, since the aging process produces more tender, flavorful meat. Most meat is wet aged, which offers greater volume (less moisture escapes) but less good flavor and less tender meat. Never buy meat that has not been aged unless you plan to do this process yourself.
A good steak should be chosen carefully, and of the highest quality you can afford. A lower grade of meat can"t be improved by good cooking techniques, no matter how hard you try. It"s simply not possible. This means that you should take the time to get the best steak you can. If one isn"t available in your area, consider ordering one for a special occasion. There are lots of good mail order steak companies available now.
Buying locally is always best when possible, of course, and it"s a great idea to get to know your butcher. He or she can help you get the best meat at the best price. However, for those people living where a good butcher isn"t available, ordering quality steaks is a lot better than having to stick with low quality steak. Take the time to learn the markers of a good steak, and you"ll have a great dining experience that"s worth the time and money.