Holiday roasts rule

Christmas dinner needs majestic meat

NO MATTER IF YOU’RE MAKING a turkey, ham or prime rib, chances are, if you’re an omnivore, Christmas dinner will revolve around a majestic cut of roasted meat. To give you a few options for this year’s holiday dinner, we have three roast recipes — two pork and one beef — to show just how versatile (and, if you choose the right cut of meat, inexpensive) a centerpiece roast can be.

ANDREW SCRIVANI / THE NEW YORK TIMES ABOVE: As with all good cuts of meat, a crown roast pork doesn’t need more than salt, pepper and a slick of oil for cooking.

CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER MAY RIGHT: Chef Michael Symon shares his method for making prime rib in his cookbook, “Carnivore.”