Best Sizzling Ancho Ribeyes For Two Recipes

COWBOY RIBEYE

Steps:

• Preheat smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (F) using fruit wood. We like apple or cherry.
• While the smoker preheats, coat the steaks with 1 tablespoon of oil then season the two Cowboy Ribeyes with dry rub liberally.
• Place the steaks on the smoker, and insert a meat probe if you have one. Smoke for approximately 90 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 115 - 120 degrees F. Remove the steaks from smoker and prepare for direct/indirect grilling.
• Once the grill is hot, place steak over direct heat and keep lid closed. This will minimize flare ups as the fat runs onto coals by minimizing airflow. Grill each side for additional 3 - 5 minutes or until you see desired crust. If there are big flare ups or the grill runs hotter, sear each side and move to indirect heat to finish to desired temperature. We like 125 degrees F for rare.
• Let the meat rest, and add 1 tablespoon of compound butter to the top, and let the meat rest for 15 minutes uncovered, while the butter melts, and then slice to serve with your favorite sides.

RIB-EYE STEAK AND POTATOES FOR TWO

Steps:

• Season steak generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sliced garlic and rosemary and set aside to marinate, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook at a brisk simmer until just done, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
• Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over high heat. Remove and discard sliced garlic from steak. (If left on, it will burn in the skillet.)
• When pan is hot, put in the steak and let brown well on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Wait until steak forms a crust and comes away cleanly from the bottom to move it.
• Flip steak and transfer pan to oven, uncovered. Roast until juices begin to rise on surface of steak (you will see the droplets) and internal temperature is 120 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove steak from pan and let rest, tented with foil, for 5 to 10 minutes. (Residual heat will continue to cook the meat to medium-rare as it rests.) Warm a serving bowl for the potatoes and plates for the steak.
• Melt butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and toss to coat and heat through. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, 1 minute or less. Gently stir in parsley and lemon zest and transfer to serving bowl.
• Cutting on a slight diagonal, slice steak into 1/2-inch slices, then transfer to plates. If using, place a handful of greens next to the steak. Serve immediately, passing potatoes at the table.

ROASTED BONE-IN RIB-EYE FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Set a 10-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak with the salt and pepper. Add the oil to the pan, and, once hot, place the steak, fat side down, in the hot pan. Sear the steak until well caramelized and most of the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Turn the steak over and sear for 5 minutes on each of the other 3 remaining sides. Once seared on all sides, place the steak on a small baking sheet and roast in the oven until an instant read thermometer inserted into its center registers 135 degrees F, about 1 hour.
• Remove the steak from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing in half, and slicing each half into strips that run across the grain. Serve with the Creamed Spinach and Potato Gratin.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 4-cup baking dish or ramekin with the butter and set aside.
• Place the spinach and enough water to cover the bottom of a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat, cover tightly, and cook, stirring occasionally, until completely wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain in a colander and set aside.
• Bring the cream to a low boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat. Whisk the cornstarch and milk in a small bowl until smooth to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the hot cream and return to medium heat, whisking until the mixture thickens and starts to boil, about 1 minute. Add the Parmesan, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth. Add the cooked spinach and, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, return to a boil, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Pour the spinach into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle the Cheddar evenly over the top, and bake until the cheese is melted, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve hot.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk the cream and yolks together. Whisk well. Season with salt and pepper. Butter a square baking dish. Lay a layer of the potatoes over the bottom of the pan. Season the layer with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1/8 of the cheese. Ladle 1 cup of the cream mixture over the cheese. Lay another layer of the potatoes over the cream mixture. Using your hands, firmly press the layers together. Repeat the above process with the remaining ingredients. Place a piece of parchment paper over the potatoes and cover with foil. Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to cook for 15 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly on the top. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.

RIB-EYE STEAK AND CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES FOR TWO

Steps:

• Season steak with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, fill a large pot with about 1" water and season with a big pinch of salt. Set a steamer basket in pot. Cover and bring water to a boil. Add potatoes, cover, and steam until fork-tender, 20-25 minutes. Remove steamer basket with potatoes from heat and let cool to room temperature. Crush each flat with the back of a spatula to about 1" thick (the skins will split and some potato flesh might crumble, which is fine).
• While potatoes cook, cover shallots with vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit at least 10 minutes and up to 30. Pour oil over, then stir in parsley, basil, orange zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt; set sauce aside until ready to serve.
• About half an hour before you want to eat, heat a large heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over high. Using tongs, hold fat cap of steak against skillet while it heats until enough oil to coat pan is rendered, about 2 minutes. Lay steak down in hot beef fat and cook over high heat, turning every 2 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of steak registers 120°F for medium-rare, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Heat skillet with beef fat over medium. Add potatoes and paprika; season with remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Cook, turning once, until potatoes are golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Cut meat from bone and slice against the grain into thick slices. Transfer steak and potatoes to a platter. Drizzle some green sauce over and serve with remaining sauce alongside.

SHORT RIBS BRAISED IN COFFEE ANCHO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Soak ancho chiles in boiling-hot water until softened, about 20 minutes, then drain in a colander set over a bowl. Taste soaking liquid: It will be a little bitter, but if unpleasantly so, discard it; otherwise, reserve for braising. Transfer ancho chiles to a blender and purée with onion, garlic, chipotles with sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Pat ribs dry and sprinkle with pepper and remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown ribs in 3 batches, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer as browned to a roasting pan just large enough to hold ribs in 1 layer.
• Carefully add chile purée to fat remaining in skillet (use caution, since it will splatter and steam) and cook over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Add reserved chile soaking liquid (or 1 1/2 cups water) and coffee and bring to a boil, then pour over ribs (liquid should come about halfway up sides of meat).
• Cover roasting pan tightly with foil and braise ribs in middle of oven until very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Skim fat from pan juices and serve with ribs.