For dinner last night, I made an excellent steak rub of coffee and spices (see the following recipe). I've had mediocre coffee rubbed steak at the Grand in Big Timber, but I knew I could take the basis of that recipe, and turn it into some thing spectacular.
My canvas, a poor cut of angus petit loin, was greatly improved by the rub. It turned an undesirable slice of meat into a tasty morsel.
Kevin at first was dubious, and announced with a look of disdain and an air of I-don't-eat-weird-shit-on-steak that he would have his without. It only took a mere whiff of the concoction to change his mind. He later apologized (many times) and excused his snobbishness on the basis of not understanding: "I thought you were just going to rub coffee grounds into it." As if I would do something so simple, and unrefined! Harumph!
As I said before, the steak, an offering from the local Albertson's, was not the best, but when it is your only option what can you do. Kevin on the heels of each apology said, "This is excellent it would be out of this world on a nice cut of beef." Basically, he would have eaten dog food with this rub he had previously snubbed. I told him that was the purpose of the rub hence the name: Cowboy Coffee Rub.
Working cowboys were not privy to luxury and the best of the table; they often ate the poorer cuts of beef and flavored them with what ever they had in their chuck wagon or saddle bag. A stroke of brilliance really when they used ground coffee. Many of today's best loved foods come from the less sophisticated culinary world. Fajitas, for instance, were made from the undesirable parts of beef that were given to the vaqueros and the resulting dish has turned into a Tex-Mex staple. Simple. Good.
As the Mexican vaquero introduced the world to fajitas, I am introducing Kevin to the world of weird shit on steak. The coffee rubbed steak will be a staple at our Crazy Tooth home, and when you come for a visit don't expect less; however, there is no need to wait. Run out right now, buy some beef, fix this rub, fire up the grill (infrared for you Bry) and within minutes you will have a tasty dinner.
Buen provecha, Eet smakelijk, bon appetit,
Cowboy Coffee Rubbed Steak
Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoon finely fresh coffee ( I used french roast where some use espresso)
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
*some people add 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar, but I had omitted it due to low calorie restrictions.
This makes enough for two 8-10oz portions. I did a slight olive oil rub into the meat before coating the top bottom and sides in the coffee mixture,and grilled about 6-7 minutes a side until the desired temperature was reached.
