Jen's Spicy Rub-Down

Cafe Drake's treasured friend Jen Ruske is always an honored guest here, and a culinary inspiration to boot. Never one to shy away from challenging ingredients (quail, rabbit), Ms. Ruske has shared a secret or two from her brave cooking with us, and the spice rub below is a particularly toothsome example. Jen slathered it over prime cuts of beef once and we've been lifelong fans since, and also find it partners well with duck. Try it on your meat, game or poultry of choice and serve alongside a complimentary vegetable like sweet potatoes or butternut squash. If using chicken or turkey, be sure to rub underneath the skin as well. Extra flavor may be created by rubbing the meat with the spice mixture, then wrapping tightly in plastic. Luckily the recipe below has plenty of strong flavors that will stand up even under a short marinating time.

JEN'S SPICE RUB

4 t. paprika / 2 t. coarse salt / 1 t. ground ginger / 1 t. ground cinnamon / 1 t. cayenne pepper / 1/2 t. ground allspice

Mix all together and store in airtight container for up to 6 months.