Cocoa Rub Recipes

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.

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!

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.

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.

Steps:

• Make the steak: Mix the cocoa powder, both paprikas, brown sugar, cayenne and 2 teaspoons salt; rub on the steak and bring to room temperature, 30 minutes.
• Make the gravy: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; set aside. Add the leek to the drippings and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the whiskey, then return to medium heat; if the alcohol ignites, let the flames die out. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the mixture is reduced by one-quarter, about 8 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the gravy coats a spoon, about 7 minutes. Stir in the butter, reserved bacon and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter; when it melts, add the steak and sear until a dark crust forms, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Season with salt. Slice and serve with the gravy.

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.

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.

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.