Cocoa Rub Food

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 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.

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 SPICE RUB

Steps:

• 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, coffee grinder or mortar& pestle.
• Mix the ground pepper and coriander with remaining spices, cocoa and salt.
• Cocoa spice rub will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

CHIPOTLE COCOA-RUBBED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to low. Place an oven rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Stir together the House Seasoning, chile powder and brown sugar in a small bowl. Pat the salmon fillets dry and place skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top of each filet with olive oil and then rub the spice mixture over the top and sides.
• Broil until the salmon is not quite cooked through and feels firm to the touch, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
• Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

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.

COCOA PORK

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, add the cocoa, sugar, orange zest, black pepper, and clove. Combine well to form a rub. Coat the pork with oil and sprinkle with the salt. Smear the cocoa rub all over the pork shoulder. Add the onion quarters and pork to a large dish and pour orange juice and red wine vinegar over the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours to marinate.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle. Let pork sit a room temperature while oven heats up, at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove pork from marinade and dry well. Put the pork in a clean, dry roasting pan, and roast until the skin is browned, about 30 minutes. Reduce the oven to 325 degrees F, scatter onions from the marinade around the pork and roast until the internal temperature registers 155 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 to 2 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Transfer the pork to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Allow the roast to rest for 15 to 30 minutes before carving.
• Slice between the meat and cracklings and lift the crackling off in 1 piece. Cut the crackling into pieces, so they're easier to eat. Carve meat downward and against the grain and arrange on a platter. Spoon pan juices and onions over the meat and serve.

SPICY COCOA STEAK RUB

Steps:

• Make the rub by mixing together the cocoa powder, chipotle powder, salt, garlic powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne and black pepper in a small bowl. Generously sprinkle the steaks with the rub and set aside.
• Heat the oil and butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the steaks to the skillet and cook as desired, about 4 minutes per side for a perfect medium-rare. Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, add the greens, tomatoes and radishes to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss together, making sure everything is coated in the oil and lemon. Add to the center of a platter and top with the Parmesan.
• Slice the steak and add to the platter with the salad, then serve.

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.

COFFEE AND COCOA STEAK RUB

Steps:

• In a pie plate or bowl, combine coffee, cocoa powder and cinnamon. Set aside.
• Rub the steak with olive oil, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
• Coat the steak with the coffee-cocoa mix, pressing it into the meat.
• Grill to your preferences.

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.

CHICKEN WITH COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place a heavy-bottom, ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Combine rub ingredients, brown sugar through olive oil, in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Spray chicken with cooking spray and place in skillet (with the side that has the skin removed facing down). Cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and flip chicken and coat the browned side with cocoa mixture. Place skillet in oven and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15-20 more minutes.