Chocolate in Rubs

[motoeric]

Hi,

I did a search and I saw a few discussions of chocolate, but nothing in detail. Has anyone experimented with this?

Any positive results that you're willing to discuss?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Puppyboy]

I have used coco powder & cinnimon before. I thought it worked out pretty good.

 

[mtomto]

I have used coco powder & cinnimon before. I thought it worked out pretty good.

I have to try this adjustment. Replace some of the sugar for a slightly different sweet taste. esp the cocoa.

 

[Mrs. Mafia]

We've used chocolate as well. Well I have...
I have thrown in some peach flavored ice tea and it was an interesting addition on the ribs as well.

 

[MAsQue]

I have to try this adjustment. Replace some of the sugar for a slightly different sweet taste. esp the cocoa.

Cocoa powder, in and of itself, is not sweet. If anything, I find it a tad on the bitter side. Something like Nestle's Quik has sugar added to the cocoa to sweeten it. Cocoa is used to add depth and richness to other flavors without adding sweetness. Think of a mole. (And, to get the jump on the inevitable wise a$$, that's a Mexican sauce, not a small, burrowing rodent.)

I haven't tried using cocoa in a rub, but it sounds interesting and I thank Eric for the idea. I always use it when I'm making chili. You can't (or at least, I can't) pick out the taste of cocoa in the chili, but it does add to the sauce. Traditional French cooking has a sauce for game, especially rabbit, that is cocoa based. I don't have a reference handy, but I'll post it if I can find it; maybe it would point in a direction of other flavors to add to the cocoa.

 

[LGerber]

I have been working on my own rub for several months and I use cocoa, cinnamon, and sugar. I think it works very well and everyone that has tasted it carries on about it. Heck I even had one guy offer to buy some of my rub. Now I use a small amount of cocoa as it can overpower in a hurry. Its like MAs Que said you want it to be a sneaky flavor that no one detects. I too use it in my chili during the winter and it always makes for a killer pot.
Give it a try, I think you will like it, and please let everyone know how it turns out

 

[Sawdustguy]

Have a look at Diva's Chocolate Grilling and BBQ rubs.

http://www.diva-chocolates.com/index.html

 

[Sawdustguy]

You can also try this Hersheys Chocolate BBQ Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark syrup
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp prepared mustard
• 1/2 tsp hot sauce

Directions:

In a sauce pan saute onions and garlic in olive oil, cooking until tender. Stir in lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika and hot sauce. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes and reduce heat. Stir in ketchup, vinegar and Hershey’s Syrup. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

[LGerber]

Man those are some sweet looking rubs...........from the looks of it I got a combination of all their rubs in one.........lol

 

[LGerber]

That sauce recipe just clipped and saved.......From the looks that will make a killer sauce. Cant wait to use it......maybe a dash of cayenne to kick up a bit.
Thanks Sawdustguy one can never have enough chocolate recipes lying around

 

[motoeric]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was hoping to go for a bit of a mexican motif and the chocolate seemed to be the way to go.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Eric

 

[CarbonToe]

I use a little coco powder esp in rubs with Chilli in them as it just brings out the flavour and adds a little something to the taste you just can't place.

Now I'm giving away my secrets!!!

 

[vr6Cop]

Interesting.....

I remember a thread a month or so ago about trying new things with Q. Here's to thinking outside the box.

 

[motoeric]

I made a rub last night with cocoa. Gonna try it today on chicken. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Eric

 

[cmcadams]

I use cocoa in my brisket rub all the time, and have for 2 years now... I like the texture from it.

 

[swamprb]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was hoping to go for a bit of a mexican motif and the chocolate seemed to be the way to go.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Eric

Why don't you try some Mole' sauce if you want a Mexican kick?

Brian