Cocoa Rub Food

COCOA-RUBBED NEW YORK STRIP STEAK FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the beets in a bowl with the olive oil, vinegar and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Lay the beets cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast until the beets are slightly tender and a little crispy on the edges, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the cocoa powder, chile powder and paprika in a small bowl. Season the steak with salt and pepper, then rub with the cocoa mixture.
• Heat a heavy-bottomed ovenproof saute pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil and heat until it begins to smoke. Add the steak and sear on one side until heavily caramelized, 6 to 7 minutes. Flip the steak, transfer the pan to the oven and roast until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F for medium rare, about 10 minutes. Allow the steak to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the roasted beets.

COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Stir the salt, cocoa powder, white sugar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper in a small bowl until combined. Store in an airtight container.
• To use, rub 2 to 3 teaspoons of the spice mixture onto a serving of meat, and let stand at least 10 minutes before cooking.

COCOA RUB

Steps:

• 1. stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. store in an airtight container.
• 2. TO USE: rub 2-3 teaspoons of the spice mixture onto a serving of meat, let stand 10 minutes before cooking.

SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH COCOA SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, toast white peppercorns and coriander seeds until they begin to pop. Remove from heat and grind to fine powder in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Mix the ground pepper and coriander with remaining spices, cocoa and salt.
• Trim the pork tenderloins of fat and silver skin. Rub with a generous amount of the cocoa spice rub. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat until hot but not smoking. Sear each tenderloin on all sides until a rich brown color, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove tenderloins from heat and finish in the oven for about 10 minutes or until cooked through.
• Let the tenderloins rest out of the oven for at least 10 minutes before carving.
• Extra cocoa spice rub will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

DOLLY PARTON'S COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Mix together and use prior to grilling chicken and steaks.
• Store the spice mixture in an airtight container; can be stored for up to 1 month.
• Also is good stirred into chili and thick soups!

COCOA CHILI RUB

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a covered jar or ziploc bag and shake to evenly blend.
• Rub on pork chops, pork tenderloin, or chicken legs or thighs. I find this a little too rich for beef but if you feel adventurous, go for it!
• This recipe makes enough for two small whole pork tenderloins or 6-8 chops.
• Rub meat with blended spices and allow at least two hours to marinate before grilling or broiling.

COCOA AND SPICE SLOW-ROASTED PORK WITH ONIONS

Steps:

• Stir peppercorns and coriander in small skillet over medium heat until spices are darker in color,about 5 minutes. Transfer toasted spices to spice grinder; grind finely. Place in small bowl; mix in remaining ingredients. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sage; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté10 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water; cover and cook until onions are soft, about 15 minutes. Uncover; continue to cook until onions are beginning to brown and water has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300°F. Sprinkle spice rub on large sheet of foil. Roll pork in rub, pressing to coat (some of rub will be leftover). Set pork on rack in large roasting pan. Top pork with 1/3 of onions; scatter remaining onions around pork in pan.
• Roast pork and onions until onions are deep brown, stirring occasionally, about 3 hours. Transfer onions from pan to medium bowl. Continue to roast pork until very tender and thermometer inserted into center registers 165°F, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Transfer pork to platter. Rewarm onions in microwave at 10 second intervals and season with salt and pepper; spoon around pork.
• Seghesio 2005 Sangiovese (Sonoma, $25). Its hints of spice and dark fruit flavors are a slam-dunk with pork.