Cocoa Chili Rub Recipes

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.

COFFEE-CHILE DRY RUB

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients thoroughly, massaging the mixture with your fingers to break down the dark brown sugar into fine crystals.
• Liberally sprinkle a thin layer of the rub onto the steak, then pat it in with your fingers so it adheres.

CHILI COCOA STEAK RUB

Steps:

• 1. Grind all ingredients til uniform in size. Store in a jar with a good seal. Enjoy!

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH CHIPOTLE COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Combine Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt, brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa powder, and chipotle chili powder in a medium sized bowl; stir well. Transfer to a sealable airtight container; set aside until needed. Spice blend will hold for 6 to 9 months at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Rinse chicken and lightly dry off with paper towel. Place chicken in a heat-proof baking dish.
• Liberally rub approximately 1/2 cup seasoning onto chicken; apply at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to cooking. If not cooking within the hour, cover and refrigerate. (If removed directly from fridge, allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.)
• Drizzle and gently rub chicken with oil.
• Roast in the pan to an internal temp 160 degrees F, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Allow to rest for 20 to 25 minutes before carving or serving.

COCOA CHILI

Steps:

• Cook beef, onion and garlic in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain.
• Stir in remaining ingredients except beans, breaking up tomatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in beans. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired thickness.

COCOA-CHILI-RUBBED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add almost all of the 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Brush both sides of chicken breasts with remaining oil.
• Generously rub chicken with the cocoa-chili rub until evenly coated on all sides. Place chicken into skillet and sear on both sides. Remove skillet from heat and bake in the oven for approximately 12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

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.

RING OF FIRE GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken pieces in a 1-gallon zip-top bag with the water, honey, and salt. Seal the bag and move around vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes to distribute the honey and dissolve the salt. Set the bag in a leakproof container and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine the curry powder, chili powder, cocoa powder, adobo powder, cumin, and hot smoked paprika in another 1-gallon zip-top bag.
• Thoroughly drain the chicken, and pat very dry with paper towels. Do not rinse.
• Put the chicken in the bag with the spice mixture and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken. Lay the pieces on a wire rack set inside a half sheet pan. Rest for 30 minutes.
• Spritz 2 pieces of newspaper lightly with vegetable oil and put in the bottom of a charcoal chimney starter. Fill the chimney starter with natural chunk charcoal, 2 to 3 pounds, and set on the bottom grate of a kettle grill. Light the paper and heat until the coals are hot and ashy, 15 to 20 minutes. Prepare a ring of heavy-duty aluminum foil with the center 9 inches in diameter. Put this ring over the chimney starter and lay on the charcoal grate.
• Carefully and evenly distribute the hot charcoal outside the ring. Set an aluminum pie pan in the center of the ring to catch any drippings. Set the cooking grate in place and heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Lightly oil the cooking grate. Arrange the chicken pieces, skin side down, on the grate over the hot coals. Turn the legs a quarter turn every 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the thighs, wings, and breasts after 4 to 5 minutes. Skin should blister and darken in color. Adjust intensity of heat by turning the grill grate to expose chicken pieces to cooler or hotter coals as needed and to avoid flare-ups.
• After 9 to 10 minutes total cook time, move the breast to the center of the grill and cover with a second aluminum pie pan. After 1 more minute, put the wings on top of the pie pan. Lean the thighs and legs against the side of the aluminum pie pan away from the direct heat of the coals. Turn every 2 minutes. Put any pieces that finish cooking on top of the pan. After 18 to 20 minutes total cook time, check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted in the deepest part of each piece. The pieces should reach 155ºF.
• Remove the chicken to a clean bowl. Cover with a tea towel and rest 5 minutes.
• To serve, place the breast on a cutting board with the narrow end facing you and slice, leaving a small piece of meat connected at the wing end so that the meat can be fanned on the plate. Or, simply pick it up with your fingers and dig in.