ROAST NEW YORK STRIP LOIN WITH GARLIC-HERB CRUST New York strip loin, also called top loin of beef, is a succulent, elegant roast. If you want a lot of leftovers (they are great for sandwiches), use a seven-pound roast and multiply the seasonings by 1 1/2. Either way, have your butcher trim some of the fat, leaving about 1/4 inch for the best flavor. With this as your entrée, uncork a Carbernet Sauvignon. 4 garlic cloves 8 fresh sage leaves 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 4 teaspoons olive oil 4 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 4- to 5-pound boneless beef loin New York strip roast, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch

With machine running, drop garlic into processor; blend until finely chopped. Add sage, thyme, oil, salt and pepper; process until paste forms.

Pat meat dry with paper towels. Rub meat all over with herb paste. Cover; chill at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place meat, fat side up, on rack in roasting pan. Roast meat 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast meat until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 130°F for medium-rare, about 35 minutes (or 140°F for medium, about 40 minutes). Remove from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices on platter.

10 servings.

[Bon appétit, December 2000]