"Dcarch- I'm thinking that any thermometer that involves a leave-in probe (wireless, the one that comes with the oven, or an in-oven digital model) can conduct heat in the way that you describe, resulting in potentially inaccurate readings. Do you agree, or is the kind that comes with the oven particularly bad when it comes to this?" For cooking temperature probe measurements, thermocouple based probe are typically used. Thermostat controls for the oven are typically capillary hydraulic devices. In order to achieve quick response and less thermal distortion, the probe needs to be as small as possible, this will make the probe and electronics more expensive (see Thermopen's probe size) to make. Thermostatic control for ovens, depending on whether they are electric, gas, or convection, are all very complicated and inherently inaccurate. "---use a remote Thermometer that has a wireless transceiver so I can take it with me around the house and see exactly what the temp is. The wires have no problem being closed in the oven door or BBQ lid. The probes are rather accurate IMO. ---" If your house has metal siding or stucco walls with metal lath, your wireless thermometer may not work. If your thermometer cable is designed for high temperature (silicone or fiberglass jacketed cables) there should be no problem inside an oven. Also be careful in cleaning the probe, some may not be water resistant. The probes may be accurate in the temperatures they sense, but they can introduce temperature distortions to the food you are measuring. Beautiful prime rib, BTW. dcarch

LOL Stacy, I was just getting ready to post the same recipe. It is soooooo good! Here is another really good one. You will have to adapt a bit because you are doing a whole tenderloin. Just use the pan drippings from your whole roast instead of the pan fried part. To tell you the truth I don;t think you even need to do that. Filet Mignon With Mushrooms And Madeira 1 TBSP butter 2 Tbl olive oil 12 ounces button mushrooms thinly sliced 1/2 Cup minced shallots (about 3) 4 garlic cloves minced 1 Tbl chopped fresh thyme 4 5-ounce filet mignon steaks(each about 3/4 inch thick) 1/2 Cup Madeira 1 1/2 Cup canned beef broth 1/2 Cup whipping cream Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup shallots and half of garlic and saute until shallots are soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in thyme; season with salt and pepper. Transfer mushroom mixture to medium bowl. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to plate. Add remaining 1/4 cup shallots and garlic to same skillet. Saute 2 minutes. Add Madeira and boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and boil until mixture is reduced to 2/3 cup, about 6 minutes. Add cream and boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in mushroom mixture. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Return steaks to skillet and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to plates. Spoon sauce over and serve. Makes 4 servings.~ Bon Apptit May 2001~

This is Ina Garten's method (The Barefoot Contessa) and if I could get it right, anybody can. FILET OF BEEF Serves 8 to 10 1 whole filet of beef (4 to 5 pounds), trimmed and tied 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper 1. Heat oven to 500. Place beef on a baking sheet; pat the outside dry with a paper towel. Spread butter on with your hands. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Roast for exactly 22 minutes for rare and 25 minutes for medium rare. 2. Remove from oven; cover tightly with foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Remove the strings and slice the filet thickly. Serve with Gorgonzola Sauce. Gorgonzola Sauce Copyright, 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All rights reserved Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Yield: 3 cups 4 cups heavy cream 3 to 4 ounces crumbly Gorgonzola (not creamy or "dolce") 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley Bring the heavy cream to a full boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then continue to boil rapidly for 45 to 50 minutes, until thickened like a white sauce, stirring occasionally. Off the heat, add the Gorgonzola, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and parsley. Whisk rapidly until the cheeses melt and serve warm. If you must reheat, warm the sauce over low heat until melted, then whisk vigorously until the sauce comes together.

Those Gogonzola potatoes sound wonderful! I love this recipe. And it can be made ahead. Potato Casserole with Caramelized Onions 3/4 cup butter, divided 1/4 cup olive oil 6 large sweet onions, diced 1 tablespoon sugar 4 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cubed 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup whipping cream 1 cup sour cream 4 large eggs, lightly beaten Salt and pepper to taste Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, and sugar. Cook, stirring often, 25 to 30 minutes or until onions are deep golden brown. Remove from heat, and set aside. Bring potatoes and chicken broth to a boil in a Dutch oven; cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Reserve broth for another use, if desired. Add remaining 1/2 cup butter to potatoes; mash with potato masher until smooth. Whisk together whipping cream and next 3 ingredients; add to potato mixture, stirring until blended. Spoon 1/2 the potato mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Spoon caramelized onions evenly over potatoes. Spoon remaining potatoes evenly over onions. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Note: Casserole may be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings Southern Living