How lucky am I? My work finds me travelling the country roads of Middlesex County, seeking out quality fare from farms, orchards and markets to develop new recipes to showcase what this beautiful, abundant area of Ontario has to offer.
I had the holiday table in mind when coming up with these recipes. I wanted to think beyond the usual turkey and ham, with a holiday twist of beef or perhaps lamb (poetic, right?). To take the twist another step further, I wanted to switch up the sauce too. Gravy is good, but why not surprise your guests with something different?
I’m pleased to share with you my latest work for Middlesex County’s Economic Development Department: a succulent, grass-fed prime rib, brightened with a piquant herb sauce. You can read my article and get the recipes in their winter newsletter.
The grass-fed beef is from Tom and Julie Field Farms (contact information here) in western Middlesex County. I had the pleasure of visiting with the Fields at their kitchen table, talking farming and food. They raise fully grass-fed beef and lamb, meaning when the animals aren’t dining on fresh grass in the pastures, they’re enjoying hay, it’s dried version. As Tom explained, and my experience eating the prime rib featured in these photos confirms, grass feeding results in a richer, more robust flavour.
So, I’m curious … how do you like to cook your beef? As you can tell from the photos here, mine was medium rare, perhaps leaning toward rare. That’s how I prefer it, but if the offspring came for dinner I’d definitely be finishing it to medium well or even <gasp> well done. No right, no wrong … it’s all about how you prefer it!
I decided to make an herb sauce — my own take on chimichurri —to complement the rich, succulent prime rib. I stopped at Slegers Living Organic Greens just outside Strathroy for some micro greens and herbs. Such a profusion of vibrant greenery! They offer both herbs and greens, with the added benefits of not only being organic but fresh as can be, living in their pots. It was hard to choose, but I came away with several options to experiment with for the herb sauce, which ended up featuring parsley and some oregano.
So, what delights will next grace my table as a result of my travels in Middlesex? Check back in about three months to see the next feature!
I’m salivating here…that vwef looks awesome, just the way I like it. Nice and rare. Body temperature… 😆 You sauce looks awesome too. I need to do some testing I think.
Good luck with your testing … multiple tests are likely required to confirm your results, lol. Thanks for the great feedback!
Very happy for you .. enjoy and I that is beautiful beef..
Thanks Suzanne!
A visiting friend brought me “the Ontario Table” cookbook by Lynn Ogryzlo, featuring the best food from around the province. Considering the work that you are currently doing you might enjoy this book. If you’re not sure, you can borrow mine.
Sharon
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Would it surprise you to hear that I bought that book a few years ago? 🙂 It’s interesting to see the highlights of food produced in Ontario. We’re lucky to live in such a bountiful place!
Would it surprise you to hear that I bought myself this book a few years ago? 🙂 Thanks for offering to loan it to me, though! So much great produce to enjoy in our province
delicious, I am simply jealous!!
It was delicious … I hope you get to enjoy something like this soon, then!
Your beef looks perfectly cooked and delicious with the herb sauce.
Thanks so much, Karen. I certainly enjoyed it, especially the way that sauce gave the beef a real lift.
[…] Oh, I’ve so been chomping at the bit to share these Sugar Shack Maple Cupcakes with you! But I developed the recipe for Middlesex County’s Economic Development department and was waiting for them to publish it first. This recipe is another in my series featuring produce from the county, along with Caramel Apple Crumble Squares and Prime Rib with Piquant Herb Sauce. […]
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