Venison Medallions with Cocoa Powder and Smoked Paprika Rub

Not only is New York a food town, but given its location within the tri state area, you can source a lot of fresh ingredients from the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and New Jersey.  My friend provided some Central Jersey venison and I got to have some fun with a few ingredients that had been sitting in my spice cabinet.

I had purchased Tcho cocoa powder and it was just asking to finally be opened.  I also had smoked paprika from Sullivan Street tea and spice company in the Greenwich Village. Rounding out the ingredient list was a Laguna Salt Company Black Truffle Salt.  I got out a little bowl and added about a tablespoon of cocoa powder, dash of smoked paprika and pinch of truffle salt (exact measurements, obviously.)