Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Ingredients:
2 Sticks Unsalted Butter - Room Temp.
2 1/4 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
4 Large Eggs - Room Temp.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 tbsp Brewed & Cooled Coffee
1 tsp Espresso Powder
1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips - Dusted in flour.

Glaze:
3 oz. Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp Brewed & Cooled Coffee
Pinch Salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a bundt pan generously.

In a large bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt.  Mix milk & sour cream in a separate bowl.

In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter & sugar until pale and flurry (about 3-5 minutes).  Add the eggs one at a time.  Add vanilla, coffee, espresso powder.  Mix throughly.  Add in the flour in 3 batches alternating with the milk mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour mixture into the bundt pan and bake about 55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

For the glaze, add the chocolate chips & coffee to a bowl.  In a pan, bring the cream to a simmer and pour over the chips. Let stand for about 2 minutes.  Add butter and salt and mix until smooth.  Let sit to thicken for about 1-2 minutes stirring occasionally.  Pour over cake.

Can be served by itself or with a strawberry fruit compote and vanilla whipped cream.

Enjoy.
#cheftainment

Roast Pork Loin

3 1/2 lb. Pork Loin - Trimmed of fat and patted dry & trussed - Room temperature
Spice Rub:
2 tbsp Kosher Salt
1 tbsp Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Taco Seasoning
1 tsp Dried Mustard
1 tsp Roasted Pepper Powder (Optional - I make my own)
1 tsp BBQ Seasoning
1 tbsp Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
3 tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

1/2 Cup Vegetable Stock (or Chicken or whatever you have)
1/4 Large Onion - Chopped

In a bowl, mix together the spices to combine.  Generously rub the spices over the pork loin and press into the meat.

In a baking dish add vegetable stock and onion.  Set aside.

In a pan over med / high heat, add the EVOO, butter and vegetable oil.  Add the seasoned pork loin and brown on all sides (and ends) about 2-3 minutes per side.  Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil.

In a preheated to 375 degree oven, add the pork loin and cook for about 35 minutes.  Increase the oven to 400 degrees, remove the foil and cook the pork loin for about another 10 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Let pork loin rest for 10-15 minutes.

Take the juices and onion from the baking dish and blend for gravy.

Enjoy.

#foodie  #cheftainment #porkloin

Apple Spice Cake

1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter
3 1/2 Granny Smith Apples - Peeled & Small Dice (keep the 1/2 apple separate)
1/2 Lemon - Juiced
1 Cup Apple Cider
1 3/4 Cups Flour (+3 tbsp for dusting)
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup White Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1 Egg - Beaten
1 tsp Vanilla

In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the 3 apples, lemon juice and apple cider.  Stir to combine, reduce to low/medium heat and cook until apples are softened and the liquid has reduced by 1/2.  About 30 minutes.

Add the apple mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes coarse.  You do not want to puree it.

In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, both sugars and salt.  Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the cooked apple mixture, the reserved 1/2 apple, egg and vanilla.  Stir to combine.

Butter and flour (the 3 tbsp reserved) a loaf pan.  Pour out excess flour from pan.  Pour batter into the pan and place on a cookie sheet as there will be over spill.  Place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out from the center clean.

Let sit for about 10 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack.  Really good by itself or warm with butter.  This cake comes out so moist and delicious and perfect for school bake sales.

Enjoy.  #Cheftainment