COWBOY RUBBED RIB EYE WITH CHOCOLATE STOUT PAN SAUCE

 

This recipe is rich, earthy, and original, proving why chocolate makes a fantastic rub. After you get used to this, or if you're comfortable experimenting with flavor profiles, I seriously recommend adding in some of your own spice ideas. However, the recipe is really delicious just as it is; I've never had a better rib eye!

Ingredients:
1 Nice, thick rib eye, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, big enough for two
1 tablespoon Ground coffee
2 tablespoons Kosher salt (we used Diamond Crystal -- you may want to reduce the salt to taste, especially if using Morton's Kosher or other finer salt, see comments)
2 teaspoons Dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Coarse ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Ground cumin
1 teaspoon Hot red pepper flakes (preferably Ancho chile)
1 cup Chocolate stout (you'll have to drink the rest)
½ cup Beef stock
1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
1 sprig Thyme
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil (if you are the type to save bacon fat, by all means use it!)

Directions:
Mix the coffee, salt, paprika, peppers & cumin together and toast lightly in pan until fragrant (alternatively you can toast whole spices then grind). Mix the spices with the sugar to make the rub.

Spread the rub all over the steak and let sit for awhile, if you do it the night before you'll have stronger flavor but if you do it right before serving it'll be good, too. (If you pre-rub and set it in the fridge, be sure to bring it up to room temperature before searing, so you do not shock the meat.)

Heat a cast iron pan until it's really really hot -- a drop of water flicked into the pan should sizzle and bounce. Add vegetable oil, wait a few seconds until the oil heats up, then place the steak in the pan. It should sizzle; leave it there, do not touch it at all for 3-4 minutes. It should be browning on the bottom. Then place it under a hot broiler and broil to medium rare or desired doneness.

Remove the steak and let rest on a warm plate, cover with aluminum foil.

Add the thyme sprig to the pan and let it saute a bit till it gets nice and fragrant. Pour in the chocolate stout and deglaze the pan. Add the beef broth, whisk together and reduce by half over medium heat.

Remove the thyme sprig and whisk in the butter. Season to taste.

Slice the steak on the bias and drizzle the sauce over top. This is YUMMY with creamed spinach and hash browns or baked potato and a nice big salad.