A Roast by Any Other Name Would Smell as Delicious

Well, it's that time of year, in these parts. The weather is colder and our pallets crave hearty foods. Nothing is heartier than a roast. Whether it's Pot Roast, Roast Beef, Roast Pork, or a Ham, we love them. But it's hard to know how to cook them. It's easier than you might think. With a few tips, and the right how to's even a beginning cook can create a mouth-watering roast. Really!

Let's start with purchasing your roast of choice.

If you're looking for tasty yet easy, I suggest you start with a Corned Beef Brisket. You can boil it, and if you time it right, you can't ruin it. Look for a brisket a little larger than what looks right. It will shrink while boiling.

If Pot Roast is your favorite, get a good-looking chuck roast. If they are all flat and wide you are going to have to roll and tie it before cooking. Look for a nice red one with some fat marbling.

For a Pork Roast, you have several options, depending on your taste preference. A shoulder blade roast is what is usually referred to as a Roast of Pork. It will have the taste and appearance of pork. A Fresh Pork Roast, or a Picnic, is more of a ham roast. It will have the taste of ham more than pork. Then of course there is the traditional ham for baking. This can be purchased bone in or boneless. If it's Roast Beef you're pining for my choice is always a Top Round Roast. It will come out juicy, tender, and delicious.

Next you need to know the cooking time and temperature.

BEEF

(Oven temperature for all below is 325*F, unless otherwise noted. Cooking times are per pound.)

1. Rib Roast: 6 to 8 pounds, Meat thermometer reading 140*F(rare), 160*F(medium), 170*(well). Approx. cooking time (minutes per pound); 23 to 25 for rare, 27 to 30 for medium, 32 to 35 for well done.
2. Rolled Rump Roast: 4 to 6 pounds, thermometer reading 150* to 170*. Approx. cooking time per pound 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Top Round Roast: 4 to 6 pounds, thermometer reading 140* to 170*. Approx. cooking time 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Tenderloin (whole): Oven temp. 425*F, 4 to 6 pounds, oven temp. 140*(rare). Total cooking time 45 to 60 minutes.

FRESH PORK

(Oven temperature for all below is 325*F, Cooking times are per pound.)

1. Fresh Loin Center: 3 to 5 pounds, thermometer reading 170*F. Approx. cooking time 30 to 35 minutes.

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