Café Mocha Rub

It’s one of the world’s great flavors, yet we unfairly relegate it to the breakfast table, pair it with cake, and mindlessly gulp it to help propel us through our days. Coffee hides in plain sight—the wallflower of the kitchen—rich with possibilities but rarely getting the opportunity to escape the cup.

Take the opportunity to liven your holiday meals with this coffee-inspired rub.

1/2 cup dark roast coffee beans, finely ground
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon chile powder (ancho or chipotle)
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon crushed cocoa nibs

Combine all ingredients. Store in an air-tight container for three months. Rub on steaks, chicken, pork, or fish before grilling or broiling.

TD&N Nutrient Analysis: Calories: 48; Total Fat: 0 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 254 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 1 g

— Recipe by Kate Jackson