Cocoa Powder

        When you think of cocoa powder, what’s the first food that comes to mind? Brownies, hot chocolate, pudding? Have you ever considered using cocoa powder in chili? It’s one of my chili secret ingredients! Well, it was before I decided to share it with you Paramedic Cooks! Cocoa Powder is way more diversified than it gets credit for. It is also an ingredient whose depth of flavor is encouraged and amplified by an eclectic medley of other ingredients. In my kitchen, I employ a “3C” trio philosophy. Cocoa, Cayenne, and Çalt. Ok, that is not how Salt is spelled, but a “2C 1S” philosophy wasn’t working...

Cocoa powder is made from Cacao beans. The beans are processed to produce Chocolate Liquor. The liquor is then pressed to create cocoa butter and cocoa solids, which are pressed again then ground into cocoa powder. The butter goes on to to be used in baked, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. There are two main types of cocoa powder, natural and dutch. Natural speaks for itself, it is the unaltered powder from the cocoa solids press. It has a strong, mildly acidic flavor, and is very dark in color. Dutch is alkalized to remove the natural acidity, which mellows the intense flavor and dulls the color. 

My 3C philosophy works in almost any recipe that calls for cocoa powder. In hot chocolate the cayenne pepper gives it a rich, spicy kick and the salt deepens the chocolatey flavor. In chili, because it simmers for so long the cocoa adds an unidentifiable depth of flavor. It doesn’t taste chocolatey, or bitter.  It is divine. 3C can be applied to brownies also, but leave out the cayenne if they’re specialty type brownies, like cheesecake or peanut butter. When using it in recipes, make a slurry or paste by mixing the cocoa with one of the liquid ingredients, then incorporate the paste into the dish. Cocoa power mixed with shortening can be used in place of baking chocolate. The ratio is 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon shortening equals 1 ounce of Bakers chocolate. Remember the 3C’s next time you use cocoa powder!