Add a Little Spice to Your Life!
Do you love to cook? Do you like to try new flavors and recipes? Or maybe you are in a cooking rut and don’t know how to start expanding your cooking repertoire. Let us help you get spicy in the kitchen. Your kit includes a pre-measured packet of unsweetened natural cocoa powder and a few recipes.
What is cocoa powder?
Cocoa powder is made from cocoa beans which come from the plant Theobroma cacao L. After the beans are fermented and roasted, they are pressed to remove most of the cocoa butter leaving behind a cake that is ground into a powder. Cocoa powder is packed with nutrients including minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. It is also rich in micronutrients, polyphenols and powerful antioxidants flavonoids which help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol and blood sugars.
What is the difference between natural cocoa powder and Dutch cocoa powder?
There are eight different types of cocoa powder with the most common types being natural and Dutch. Natural signifies that it is unprocessed beyond the initial separating from the cocoa butter and grinding into a powder. It is sometimes labeled as “unsweetened cocoa powder” or “pure cocoa powder.” It is fruity, complex, and bitter in flavor, and light brown in color. Dutch-process cocoa powder is made by soaking cocoa beans in an alkali solution which neutralizes the acidity and cuts a bit of the bitterness. The resulting product is darker in color than natural cocoa powder. It creates what some people consider a richer, fudgier flavor in baked goods.
Easy ways to add cocoa powder to your diet.
One tablespoon of unsweetened natural cocoa powder only has 10 calories and is one of the most nutrient-dense plant foods we can eat. So, mix a little cocoa into your espresso or brewed coffee. Sprinkle cocoa powder on plain Greek yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit.
Make a spicy cocoa rub by combining 1/4 cup of sea salt, 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon white sugar, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 3 tablespoons ground cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground black pepper. Rub the spice mixture onto steak, chicken, thick chops or spare ribs. Let stand for 10 minutes before cooking.
Make a smoothie by combining 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of cayenne pepper, and 1 cup almond milk in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Make an avocado chocolate mousse by blending 2 very ripe avocados, 1/2 cup melted bittersweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup almond milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Divide the mousse into 4 bowls and chill for at least an hour before serving.
Featuring cocoa powder:
- Slow Cooker Chili
- Chocolate Zucchini Loaf Cake
- Cacao-Hazelnut Spread
- Chocolate Mug Cake
Need more inspiration?
You can watch a six-part Great Courses class called The Everyday Gourmet: Essential Secrets of Spices in Cooking for free with your library card by using a Hoopla Great Courses BingePass or streaming on Kanopy.
