Cocoa Crusted Steak with Shishito Peppers

Father’s Day is coming up and I have been testing some recipes that are sure to impress him. You really can’t go wrong with steak for dad; it’s easy to make and always welcome. I usually go with simply seasoned steaks seared in a cast iron pan but it’s also nice to jazz things up a bit with a tasting spice rub, like this cocoa and chipotle seasoning! Normally when I think about chocolate I think about sweet dishes but it also works in savoury recipes! Not to long ago I was enjoying some chicken mole and I was thinking about other ways to enjoy chocolate in savoury dishes when I thought abut a rub seasoning for steaks! Yum! The base of this seasoning is cocoa (aka chocolate) powder and it continues with the Mexican flavours with ancho and chipotle chili powders, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic and onion powder, and salt and pepper. The secret ingredient in this spice blend is coffee, in the form of espresso powder, since the coffee and chocolate flavour play so well together. If you are expecting a little sweet side to this rub you can easily add some brown sugar which works really well!
I served the cocoa and chipotle seared steaks with seared shishito peppers! Shishito peppers are chili peppers that are mostly mild but about 1 in 10 are spicy and hot, which makes eating them fun! What an easy and tasty meal for dad on Father’s Day!

Serve it whole or slice it for tacos, salads, etc.!