Best Cacao Nibs Rub On Tri Tip Or Skirt Steak Recipes

BOSTON CREAM DOUGHNUTS TOPPED WITH CACAO NIBS

Steps:

• For the dough: Put the warm water in a medium bowl and whisk in the yeast. Set aside to proof until you see bubbles on the surface, about 10 minutes. (If there is nothing at all, start again with fresher yeast.) Stir in the all-purpose flour, then cover with plastic and set aside in a warm place, at least 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cream together the butter and sugar in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 8 to 10 minutes. Do not skimp on or rush the creaming time. Add the eggs with the mixer on low speed, one by one, followed by the vanilla and salt. If the mixture seems to separate, slightly increase the speed and keep going; it will come back together. Add the bread flour and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and proof again in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours.
• For the pastry cream: Put 2 cups of the heavy cream, 1/2 cup of the sugar and the vanilla bean seeds and pod in a saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over low heat. Meanwhile, combine the eggs and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in one bowl and the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup heavy cream in a second bowl. Beat both with a whisk to a homogeneous mixture. Set aside.
• When the cream comes to a boil, whisk half of the cream into the egg-sugar mixture and then IMMEDIATELY whisk it back into the pan with the hot cream. (This is called tempering and will allow you to combine boiling cream and eggs without making scrambled eggs.)
• Return the pan to medium heat and gradually whisk in the cornstarch-milk mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. (It is necessary to bring this mixture to a boil to cook the starch; otherwise the pastry cream will feel starchy and gritty.) Cook until thickened to the consistency of vanilla pudding, 3 to 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl and chill until firm, about 2 hours (chilling can be done really quickly over an ice bath).
• Prepare the frying oil: Heat the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot fitted with a deep-frying thermometer until it reaches 350 degrees F. Fit a cooling rack into a sheet pan for landing finished doughnuts.
• Roll and cut the dough: Lightly sprinkle a cool surface with an even layer of flour and dust a baking sheet with flour. Lightly flour a rolling pin and a 3 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, being careful not to use too much. Turn the dough out onto the surface and use the rolling pin to first gently flatten, then roll the dough out to 1/2- to 1-inch thick. Cut rounds of dough with the cookie cutter and turn them onto the floured baking sheet to rest in a warm place, 20 to 30 minutes (see Cook's Note). You cannot re-roll or use scraps unless you fry them "as is," so cut your doughnut rounds very close together to maximize yield.
• Fry the doughnuts: When the oil reaches 350 degrees F, drop 2 to 3 doughnuts into the hot fat and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon or fish spatula and set on the cooling rack. Continue with the remaining doughnuts and set aside to cool.
• For the glaze and topping: Melt the dark chocolate chunks over a double boiler until smooth. Remove from the heat and add the corn syrup. Stir to combine and set aside. If the chocolate begins to seize, adjust with a splash of hot water.
• Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat. Add the cacao nibs and toast for about 1 minute. Transfer the cocoa nibs to a paper towel to dry.
• Fill the doughnuts: Transfer the cooled pastry cream to a pastry bag fitted with a pastry tip. Poke the pastry tip into the side of each doughnut to inject cream into the center of each.
• Finish the doughnuts: Dip the tops of the filled doughnuts into the melted chocolate and sprinkle with the toasted cacao nibs. Place on a rack and let set, 15 minutes.

CHAIRMAN MAO'S CHERRY COLA SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• The order of operations is to cut the skirt steak into 3-inch chunks. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and brown for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and let drain in a colander. While it's draining, lightly rinse the inside of the skillet with warm water, wipe with paper towel, then put back on the stove. Make sure skillet is dry on inside so the oil doesn't pop. Coat the skillet with oil and add the rock candy. Let it melt for 1 minute or until halfway melted on medium heat. Add the browned beef and stir until caramelized.
• Remove the skillet from the heat, add moutai and ignite with a long kitchen match. Let it flame for 10 to 15 seconds then return the skillet to the heat. Add the rice wine, garlic, onion, horseradish, 4 ounces of soy sauce, and the fermented rice sauce. Let simmer for 2 minutes and then add 2 cups of the water. Let simmer for 5 minutes, then skim the foam off the top. Add the cherry cola and let boil, uncovered, on high heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining cup of water and cover. Cook until tender, usually another 50 minutes.
• About 20 minutes before serving, set up a bamboo steamer. Put the dried lotus leaves in steamer and put the 8 buns on top. Steam until soft, but still firm, usually 3 to 5 minutes.
• Roughly chop the beef. You don't want to chop it fine, you just want nice bite-sized pieces like chopped brisket. Stuff each bun with the beef and some onions from the pot.
• Transfer the lotus leaves to a serving platter and arrange the buns on top. The large leaves give off a nice aroma and looks cool. It's good party presentation for serving.

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.

SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill.
• Season the skirt steak with salt and pepper and lightly brush both sides with sauce. Cook the steak on the grill for about 3 minutes on each side. Slice the steak diagonally and serve.
• Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, ketchup, tomato juice, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, vinegar, chipotle puree, salt and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

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.