Cocoa Almonds Recipes

Steps:

• For the leeks: Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Put the whole leeks on an unlined sheet tray and bake, flipping halfway through, until completely charred, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool to the touch.
• For the cocoa blackened steak: Combine the smoked paprika, cocoa powder, onion powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked salt, sugar and coffee in a bowl. Divide the mixture between the each of the rib eyes and let sit for 15 minutes.
• For the leeks: Once the leeks are cool to the touch, remove the outer layers, revealing the soft leeks inside. Finely chop the leeks and add to a bowl. Add the cocoa nibs, olive oil and red wine vinegar and season with the smoked sea salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• For the Marcona almond romesco: Blend the peppers, olive oil, white chocolate, tomatoes, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, salt and garlic in a blender until smooth. Add the almonds to a food processor and pour over the blended sauce. Pulse until coarse, not smooth.
• Heat a 14-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons cooking oil and the steaks and cook on both sides until evenly charred, about 7 minutes per side, searing in batches if needed. Remove from the skillet and put on the rack on the sheet tray. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
• Serve the steak alongside the romesco and the leek condiment.

Steps:

• Cake - . Heat oven to 350 degrees . Butter and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom of each with a circle of wax paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a second medium bowl, whisk together sour cream and coconut milk. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Beat in almondand vanilla extracts. On medium-low speed, beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with coconut milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
• Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• Chocolate Ganache - Heat cream in a small pot on medium-high heat just until it simmers. Immediately pour over chocolate in a medium bowl; let stand 3 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until smooth. Cover and cool to room temperature.
• Filling - Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-low speed until blended, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons water and beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Add coconut and almonds and beat for another 30 seconds. Set aside.
• To assemble: Place one cake on a stand (if slightly rounded, trim off a bit to make it flat). Spread 1/2 the filling on the cake. Repeat with second cake and remaining filling. Top with the third cake (do not trim). Ice cake evenly with chocolate ganache. Garnish with coconut and almonds.

Steps:

• Stir all ingredients, except cocoa, together. Spread evenly on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. After nuts have cooled a bit, pour them into bowl and toss with cocoa to coat.