Cocoa Pork Recipes

COCOA-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CHOCOLATE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• For the sauce: Heat the oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the onion is tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cocoa powder. Add the broth, rosemary, vinegar and tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Cover the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from the heat.
• For the pork: Whisk the cocoa powder, allspice, dark brown sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl to blend.
• Place the pork on a heavy nonstick baking sheet. Rub the allspice mixture over the pork. Drizzle with olive oil and roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Tent loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes.
• Cut the pork crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the pork and serve.

MAYAN COCOA NIB SPICED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat a pellet grill smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions to 225 degrees F.
• Grind up the cocoa nibs, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and cloves in a blender until evenly ground. Mix this spice mixture with the salt, brown sugar, chile powder, onion powder, cinnamon, allspice and garlic powder in a bowl.
• Rub about 3/4 cup of the spice mix on the pork tenderloins. Smoke the pork until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 1 hour. Let rest about 5 minutes before slicing.
• For the finishing sauce: Add the vinegar, rum, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic, chile and orange zest and juice to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then puree until smooth. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• For the cocoa nibby grits: To a large saucepan add the chicken stock, olive oil and 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Add the grits and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the butter, cream, bittersweet chocolate and 1/4 cup cocoa nib spice mixture until fully combined. (Keep any remaining spice mixture in a container with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dry place.)
• For serving: Pour the grits into a very large serving bowl. Top with the sliced pork, Cotija, finishing sauce, cilantro sprigs and a squeeze of lime.

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.