Chicken Pepita Mole Food

PUMPKIN SEED MOLE ~ MOLE VERDE

Steps:

• In a large skillet with high sides or in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, toast the pumpkin seeds, cumin seeds, and oregano, if using, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss frequently to make sure they don't burn. Remove from the heat and transfer to a spice grinder or a blender and process until finely ground.
• In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, tomatillos, garlic, and jalapeños and cook until slightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes, tossing a couple of times but not too much. Place the vegetables in a blender or food processor, then add the broth, cilantro, parsley, epazote (if using), and salt and process until puréed.
• Pour the mixture back into the skillet and add the ground pumpkin seed mixture. Let simmer gently until the flavors are melded, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately. (Leftovers-if there are any-can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a couple of days.)

CHICKEN WITH PEPITA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas and toast, stirring occasionally, until they begin to pop, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons pepitas to a small bowl and add the rest to a blender. Add the cumin seeds to the same skillet and toast until dark brown, about 1 minute. Add to the blender; reserve the skillet. Add the salsa verde, 1/2 cup cilantro, the allspice and 1/2 cup water to the blender. Blend until smooth, adding up to 2 tablespoons more water if needed.
• Pour the puree into the reserved skillet; stir in the chicken and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes; thin with up to 1/4 cup water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the bell pepper, radishes, lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup cilantro in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Warm the tortillas in a large dry skillet.
• Divide the tortillas, bell pepper salad and chicken among plates. Sprinkle with the reserved pepitas; serve with lime wedges.

PIPIáN ROJO RECIPE

Steps:

• Season the meat with salt and pepper. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Once the oil is hot, add the meat, and sear both sides, turning once when the meat gets a light golden color. This step will take about 5 minutes total. Add one cup of water to the saucepan and cover to simmer and cook until the meat is almost fork-tender.
• While the meat is cooking, let's prepare the sauce. Prepare a medium-size saucepan
• with 2 cups of water where you are going to be placing all the toasted ingredients. Toast the peppers over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds per side. Place in the saucepan.
• Lightly toast the seeds in a skillet or frying pan. We'll start with the larger seeds: first the peanuts, then the pumpkin seeds and finally the sesame seeds. Toasting the peanuts will take about 1-1/2 minutes, afterward remove and place in a bowl. Toast the pumpkin seeds, being careful not to burn them. Once they start to get a golden color, they will begin to jump; use a wooden spatula to stir. This step is a very quick one, and the same process applies to the sesame seeds that will be roasted in a matter of seconds. Place roasted seeds in the bowl with the water.
• Now, slightly roast cinnamon, cumin seeds, cloves and allspice berries. Place them in the bowl with water once toasted.
• Finally, roast the tomatoes, onion, and garlic, turning occasionally to obtain an even roasting. Place in the bowl with the water.
• Place the bowl's contents in the saucepan over a medium-high heat and cook for about 8 minutes; set aside to let the ingredients soften.
• Check the meat for doneness, and add more water if needed.
• Place all the sauce's ingredients in your blender pitcher and process until you have a smooth and robust sauce. Do not process it for a long period of time, just enough to blend the ingredients.
• Pour the sauce into a large skillet and turn up the heat to medium-high and slowly cook the sauce. Add the pieces of meat and stir occasionally. Keep cooking for about 10 minutes. The fats will float over the surface by now. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little chicken broth or water. Season with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN IN GREEN PIPIAN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slide your fingertips beneath the skin of each chicken breast to loosen. Drizzle each breast with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, rubbing beneath and on top of the skin.
• Place the chicken on a baking sheet or in a baking dish and roast in the oven until the chicken is cooked through, about 35 minutes. Set aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, for the sauce: Preheat a large, heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot. Toast the pumpkin seeds, stirring constantly, until they have expanded and begin to pop, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a plate to cool. Reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish.
• In a medium, heavy saucepan, simmer the tomatillos, serrano and onions in salted water to cover until the tomatillos turn a dark green color, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatillos, serrano and onions to a blender and puree with the chicken broth, cilantro, sugar and toasted pumpkin seeds until smooth (the sauce will be a little coarse). Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, remove the skin from the chicken breasts and slice the chicken crosswise on the bias. Transfer to a serving plate. Spoon the green pipian sauce on top and garnish with the reserved toasted pumpkin seeds.

MEXICAN MOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in cocoa powder, cumin, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the tomato soup and green chile peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Transfer to a gravy boat or pour directly over food to serve.

CHICKEN MOLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and set aside. In a large non-stick saucepan, heat the oil.
• Add the green onions and garlic and saute over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the tomato puree, raisins, water and coriander and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes uncovered.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken and bake for 30-45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

CHICKEN PEPITA MOLE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine cajun spice, finely ground pepitas and cracked black pepper; coat both sides of the chicken tenders "well"; set aside.
• You will need to make sure to "rub" the spice into the chicken.
• Heat pan on medium low; add 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil.
• Add chicken for about 50 second each side; set aside on a paper towel to drain.
• NOTE The coated chicken WILL cook VERY quickly and is best to use caution to lower the heat than to have it burn.
• Lower heat to low; add to oil... chilli, cumin, cinnamon and any leftover combination mixture of cajun spice, ground pepitas and cracked black pepper; stir for about 3 - 4 minutes.
• NOTE The pan does "smoke.
• If you have ANY concerns re your pan "smoking", simply remove pan from the stove top; making sure to keep stirring. When your confidence returns, simply return it to the stove top until you are happy with the coloring.
• If the spices soak up all of the oil, you may need to add more oil.
• You WILL want to "continuously" stir the spices in oil as they DO burn easily. Do not say you have not been warned! lol.
• With heat on low, add dark chocolate and stir; combining it with the spices "well.".
• When the dark chocolate is fully melted, add diced tomatoes; stirring until combined.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• I like chicken bites, so I cut my chicken before returning it to the pan and simmered for an additional 10 minutes. Olé!

SLOW-COOKER SWEET POTATO CHOCOLATE MOLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and seasonings; cook and stir until onion is tender, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. If desired, add in tequila, stirring constantly., Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Add broths and sweet potatoes. Cook, covered, on low until potatoes are tender, 6-8 hours. Stir in chocolate until melted. Cool soup slightly. Process in batches in a blender until smooth. Serve with avocado and Cotija cheese., Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth if necessary.