Ancho Espresso Lamb Chops

Makes 3 servings.

Note: From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 6 loin lamb chops, each about 1 to 1 1/4 in. thick, total 1 3/4 lb.

• 3 tbsp. Ancho Espresso Rub (recipe follows)

• Creamy Cucumbers and Chives (recipe follows)

Directions

Espresso powder can add magic to recipes.

Pat lamb chops dry with a paper towel and place on a broiler pan or a shallow baking sheet with sides. Press some of the rub into all sides of the chops. Let stand, 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 1 day.

Position the rack 6 inches from the heat source; heat the broiler. Broil the lamb chops, 4 minutes. Flip the chops; continue broiling until meat feels nearly firm when pressed (medium-rare), 2 to 4 minutes more. Transfer chops to a serving platter. Serve chops with a side of the cucumbers.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories444Fat29 gSodium887 mgSaturated fat12 g

Carbohydrates4 gTotal sugars1 g

Protein40 gCholesterol147 mgDietary fiber1 g

Ancho Espresso Rub

Makes about 1/2 cup.

Note: If ancho chile powder is unavailable, you can substitute chili powder, but omit the cumin. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 1/4 c. pure ancho chile powder

• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds

• 1 tbsp. espresso powder

• 1 tbsp. dried minced onion

• 2 tsp. salt

• 2 tsp. sugar

• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Coffee goes into the rub for these lamb chops, in the form of espresso powdered mixed into the ground chile, sesame seeds, dried onion and spices. A simple side of cucumbers in sour cream dressing acts as cooling agent.(E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1241489

• 1/8 tsp. ground cumin

Directions

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in a jar with a tightfitting lid.

Nutrition information per tablespoon:

Calories32Fat2 gSodium767 mgSaturated fat0 g

Carbohydrates4 gTotal sugars2 g

Protein1 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber2 g

Creamy Cucumbers and Chives

Makes 4 servings.

Note: From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 6 small pickling cucumbers or 2 small seedless cucumbers, trimmed

• Salt

• 1/4 c. sour cream, plain Greek yogurt or store-bought ranch dressing

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives or green onion tops

• 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh mint, optional

Directions

Slice cucumbers very thinly; place in a colander. Sprinkle generously with salt; let stand over the sink, about 30 minutes. Squeeze the cucumbers lightly; pat them dry with paper toweling.

Put cucumbers into a bowl; stir in sour cream, yogurt or dressing, chives and mint. Refrigerate. Serve cold.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories40Fat3 gSodium24 mg

Carbohydrates3 gSaturated fat2 gTotal sugars2 g

Protein1 gCholesterol10 mgDietary fiber1 g

Mocha Shortbread Logs

Makes 28 cookies.

Note: To gild the lily, drizzle these with a little melted white chocolate after the dark chocolate is set. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 1 c. flour

• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/4 c. sifted powdered sugar

• 2 to 3 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. espresso powder, divided

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• Pinch salt

• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

To prepare dough: In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the flour, butter, powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons espresso powder, vanilla and pinch of salt. Mix on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Gather into a ball; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Pinch off a small nugget of the dough and roll in your hands to make a 2-inch log about 1/2 inch in diameter. Place on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat to form all the cookies, placing them on the sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake until the bottoms are barely golden, 10 to 13 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.

To prepare the glaze: Melt chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl in a microwave on medium (50 percent power) just until barely melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon espresso powder until smooth.

Dunk one end of each shortbread log into the melted chocolate. Set dunked cookies on a wire rack over a piece of paper toweling, and let the chocolate firm. (They can be refrigerated if the kitchen is warm.) Store in a cookie tin for up to a week.

Nutrition information per cookie:

Calories62Fat4 gSodium6 mg

Carbohydrates7 gSaturated fat2 gTotal sugars3 g

Protein1 gCholesterol7 mgDietary fiber0 g

Coffeehouse Banana-Nut Muffins

Makes 12 muffins.

Note: These are delicious served warm. Or, when cool, wrap them in foil and place in a sealed plastic bag for up to 2 days. The muffins freeze well, too. To toast pecans, place them in a dry saucepan over medium heat and warm, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. From JeanMarie Brownson.

• 2 c. stone-ground, white whole-wheat flour

• 5 tbsp. espresso powder, divided

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

• 1 tsp. cinnamon, divided

• 2 large ripe bananas, peeled

• 2 eggs

• 2/3 c. packed light brown sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 6 tbsp. safflower or sunflower oil

• 1/2 c. chopped toasted pecans (see Note)

• 1/2 c. semisweet or dark chocolate chips

• 1/2 c. cinnamon chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips or more chocolate chips

• 1/2 c. powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp. half-and-half, milk or cream

Directions

To prepare muffins: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 regular muffin tins with paper liners. Alternatively, line the tins with foil liners and spray the liners with nonstick spray.

Mix flour, 3 tablespoons espresso powder, baking powder, salt, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Put bananas in a separate bowl. Mash smooth with a potato masher or fork. Stir in eggs until smooth. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in oil. Add flour mixture, and fold gently to moisten all the flour. Gently mix in pecans, chocolate chips and cinnamon chips, if using. (Do not overmix or muffins will be tough. )

Use a spoon to divide the mixture among the muffin tins, filling them to the top. Tap the pan on the work surface to release any air pockets. Bake, turning pan once for even browning, until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in the pans. Glaze when barely warm. Best served the day baked.

To prepare espresso cinnamon glaze: Mix powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons espresso powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and half-and-half in a small bowl. Mix until smooth, adding a few more drops of half-and-half if needed to make a pourable glaze.

Nutrition information per muffin with glaze:

Calories323Fat15 gSodium312 mg

Carbohydrates46 gSaturated fat3 gTotal sugars27 g

Protein6 gCholesterol31 mgDietary fiber4 g