Coffee Spice Rub

Despite the leaves starting to drop here in Vermont there’s still a lot more grilling to be done and adding a bit of espresso to your spice rub adds a richness that you’ll never get with a marinade.  If you have a rub mixture you like simply add a quarter cup of ground espresso.  If not, start by combining four tablespoons of white or brown sugar with two tablespoons of salt in a bowl.  From there add varying tablespoons of the following depending on what it’s in your cupboard, chili powder, paprika, mustard, ginger, black pepper, oregano, cumin, coriander, or granulated garlic…it’s hard to go wrong....don’t forget the espresso.  Rub the mixture into your meat and grill as you would on the barbeque, it also works just as well in a cast iron skillet on high heat for a few minutes a side and then into the oven for five to ten minutes depending on your desired doneness.