Looking for suggestions or recipes where Chocolate (or cocoa) is an ingredient

[Jpe616]

Hey Everyone,
For some background, for the last roughly 30 years my girl friend started a tradition around Valentine's Day where she would serve a meal where some form of chocolate was an ingredient in every dish. It started simple with chocolate chip pancakes with chocolate milk for her kids when they were young and it has now morphed into a major event where we regularly have roughly 50 people over to celebrate good friends instead of romantic love. We do have some 'regular' menu items that appear yearly such as:

• Oven roasted beef with chocolate basalmic glaze (and carrots)
• Chicken Mole'
• Pork ribs served with chocolate cherry cordial boozy bourbon BBQ sauce.
• Brisket with some cocoa powder added to the general rub
• grilled chocolate chip, brie and basil panini sandwiches
• Roasted beets with chocolate
• spinach and strawberry salad with chocolate basalmic dressing
• and of course various home made chocolate cakes, deserts and drinks..

The idea is that chocolate or cocoa can function as a savory ingredient without having to be something sweet, or front and center in the flavor profile.
Does anyone have any tried and tested recipes for side dishes that utilize some form of chocolate as an ingredient that you would be willing to share so that we could add to our menu for this year?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated to help us expand the experience.

Thanks!

[texastweeter]

Caramelized ginger pork chops with a chocolate gravy. Also alton brown has a coco glazed meatloaf that's legit.

https://altonbrown.com/recipes/meatloaf-reloaded/

[Jpe616]

That glaze sounds incredible! I don't know if we need another main dish protein, but if she decides we do this will certainly be it! Thank you!

[bbqLuv]

Warning Not A1C friendly.
So good, and kids love them.
v3HOR1109zen60SZZZ 16x9PS (youtube.com)

[Jpe616]

Those do sound good. We may not have room on the dessert table, but will certainly hang on to that recipe for future use.

[wrgilb]

Coffee rub with cocoa powder, use it on any protein you're cooking.

1 Tbs. finely ground espresso coffee beans
1 Tbs. pure ancho chile powder
1 tsp. natural cocoa powder
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground fennel seed
1/8 tsp. ground allspice
4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

[texastweeter]

There is coco in my brisket rub. Lots of coffee, anchor, and black pepper too.

[Jpe616]

That sounds soooo good. I have a rub that leans pretty heavily into the cocoa that I used previously for briskets for this dinner, but that looks good. I LOVE anchos... grow poblanos during the summer then smoke them and vacuum seal them to have them all winter long for soups and chili. May opt for this rub instead. Thanks wrgilb!

[skipsdaughter]

Here's a cocoa toasted cauliflower: https://wp.me/pYuLw-2Jg

And a cocoa chicken: https://wp.me/pYuLw-2b5

Lots of desserts, too, but these were a couple savory recipes.

[bbqLuv]

I was able to download this recipe from the link you posted into Paprika--for the win
I will have to make this for my wife who loves cauliflower,
My pellet pooper with give it a kiss of smoke.

[johnec00]

Henrik You got a mention . . .

[Henrik]

Yup johnec00, I've done a few chicken recipes with cocoa, turns out good. The recipe is only in my book, not on my website, so unfortunately I can't link to it.

[Smoked Transistors]

https://www.tastingtable.com/767554/...%20of%20flavor.

[Jpe616]

Interesting... have known about the combination of chocolate and spices before, especially in hot chocolate form, but never thought of adding it to chili. That's a definite possibility. Thanks!

[bbqLuv]

I like the idea but Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. According to some beans do not belong in chili. I will try it anyway.
Thanks.

[Jpe616]

lol... I am one of those that load my chili with different types of beans, peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, celery beef, ground turkey and a touch of sausage. I like it resembling a thick stew like consistency. Chili is one of those dishes that's really regional. I love seeing (and tasting) all the variations out there.

[TripleB]

I have a chicken enchilada recipe that uses both mole and Mexican chocolate. It is a family favorite recipe and I make it probably 4-5 times a year for the family. Let me know if you'd like to see it.

[Jpe616]

I know that we traditionally do mole chicken so we're almost half way there. If you wouldn't mind sharing it, I'd love to see it. If she thinks we dont have room for this, I'm starting to work on my menu for my annual b-day / Father's Day BBQ in June and that would fit well with the fried chicken tacos.

[Bob K]

I put dark chocolate in the chile purée/paste I make for our chile con carne. I don't tell anyone, but I know it's there and miss it if I don't.

[TripleB]

As requested, attached is my chicken enchilada recipe. This recipe came out of the LA Times food section probably about 37 years ago. Wow, how time flies. I microwave the corn tortillas, just because it is less messy than the traditional method and less fat....so whatever floats your boat.

I also now just buy a rotisserie chicken and pull the meat off for the enchiladas. Use the skin, bones, left over bag juices, 1 qt water, 1 qt cheap chicken stock and simmer with carrots, onions, celery, garlic, peppercorns to make a quick broth (2 hrs).

Cheers,

[Jpe616]

Thank you! that would pair well with my Mexican rice. My June BBQ may end up having a more Southwest flair than usual.

[Jpe616]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recipes leading up to the party last night. For just two of us trying to setup a dinner for 50+ people while managing a home with two special needs adults, time was at a premium so for this year we stuck mostly to our tried and true recipes.

I ended up doing two briskets, 18 & 20 pounds. The rub I used was a base of Blues Hog beef seasoning and a top coat of SmoFried Brisket rub which is a blend of Kona coffee and Cocoa beans. 10 racks of ribs with a rub blend of Blues Hog original rub, AP Hogs The Killer Rub and Meat Head's Pork rub. The chocolate came in the form of the BBQ sauce I made. I have a recipe from Ray Sheehan for Cherry BBQ sauce, that I swap out the apple cider vinegar for Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar.

We had a guest that drove in from Kansas City that was very complimentary of the brisket and ribs which felt good to hear. I wasn't fully happy with them, but I am my own worst critic.

Thank you all again for your recipes and suggestions. Those items that we did not use have been added to our recipe collection for future dinners. It is much appreciated.

[bbqLuv]

How can I like and give a thumbs up 👍 for this post when I wasn’t invited??
I always miss out when on The best.
I’m sad.

[STEbbq]

Tell me more about the sandwiches and cake! It all looks wonderful!

I will have to check out that SmoFried rub.

[Jpe616]

bbqLuv, I'll add you to the guest list for next year. Come on down!

[Jpe616]

STEbbq, the sandwiches are made with a slice of brie cheese, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a leaf of fresh basil. Then you grill them like a grilled cheese so that the brie and chocolate chips melt. The basil adds a brightness that keeps it from being just a gooey mess. It sounds like like a really odd pairing, but they are always a hit and go like crazy. We went through 5 loaves of bread on them for the party. SmoFried rub I had purchased on Amazon a few years back. Looking now, it doesnt appear to be in stock anymore. It's okay, but not a "go to" rub for me. I honestly only use it for this event because of the cocoa component.

Amazon.com : Smofried BBQ Brisket Rub - 25.5 Ounces : Grocery & Gourmet Food

[STEbbq]

Thank you!

[BFlynn]

I square of baker's chocolate per pot of chili really adds some magic. No clue why. Also, you'd have to make a LOT of chili to go through much chocolate.