Mexican Mole Poblano Inspired Chili Food

MOLE POBLANO WITH CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• For the chiles: The day before making the mole, remove the stems and seeds from the chiles; rinse the chiles and pat dry. Heat the oil in a large skillet, then add the chiles (in batches if necessary) and fry until glossy, about 4 minutes. Drain and place in a Dutch oven. Cover with 10 cups hot water, then add the vinegar and let stand overnight, covered.
• The next day, drain the chiles, then pat dry and reserve the soaking liquid.
• For the mole sauce: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the oil and chiles to a wok or a very large saute pan and turn the heat on medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, remove the chiles to a plate, leaving the oil in the wok.
• Add the blanched almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, pepitas, black peppercorns, anise seeds, cloves and cinnamon stick to the wok and toss to combine and toast, about 2 minutes.
• Grill the tomatoes, corn tortillas, bolillo roll and onion until each are charred on both sides. Remove from the pan and add directly to the toasted spices. Add the cocoa nibs, raisins, Mexican chocolate, mint and parsley and stir to combine, allowing the chocolate to melt.
• Carefully add the wok ingredients to a blender and slowly blend. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt.
• Pour the sauce into a medium saucepan along with the chicken stock and 1/2 cup reserved chile liquid and turn the heat to medium. Once at a simmer, adjust the seasoning with salt.
• For the wings: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place an oven-safe rack on top of the foil. Coat the rack with cooking spray.
• Place the chicken wings in a large bowl along with the oil, cumin and smoked paprika and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the wings until coated. Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the rack. Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Place the wings in a very large bowl and cover with the mole sauce. Carefully toss until each wing is evenly coated.
• Add the wings to a platter and top with the parsley and pomegranate seeds.

MOLE POBLANO CON POLLO

Steps:

• Make the sauce first.
• Melt half the lard in a large saucepan. Cook the chilies, onion and garlic for 5 minutes
• Add the sesame seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, almonds, peanuts and peppercorns.
• Cook for 10 minutes.
• Process the mixture in a food processor, adding a small amount of chicken stock to make a smooth paste.
• Melt the remaining lard in the pan and cook the tomatoes.
• Add tortilla, ground cinnamon, cloves, chili powder, raisins, salt and pumpkin seeds.
• Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add this mixture to the bowl of the food processor, and process until smooth.
• Add more chicken stock if required. (The mole paste should be quite thick now).
• Return all the processed mixture to the pan and simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
• Add the chocolate and allow it to melt, stirring all the time.
• Add the vinegar and the remaining chicken stock. (The sauce should now be very thick).
• At this point check the seasoning.
• If the mole sauce is not spicy enough add more chili powder.
• The taste will be raw.
• When the sauce has cooled store in the refrigerator.
• Leave for 24 - 48 hours.
• Pour (spoon) about a quarter of the sauce into the bottom of a large saucepan.
• Add the chicken and cover with remaining sauce.
• Warm gently.
• Serve the chicken masked with the sauce sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.

MEXICAN MOLE POBLANO INSPIRED CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Stir in onions, green peppers, green chilies, and garlic. Cook and stir until onions are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the stew meat to the pot, cook until well browned, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the chili power, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick into the pot. Cook and stir until spices are aromatic, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and beer into the pot; stir in the tomato paste. Bring chili to a simmer and cook until beef is very tender and the liquids have thickened, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Mix the chili beans and chocolate into the chili. Simmer until the chocolate has melted and the chili is hot, 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

MEXICAN MOLE POBLANO INSPIRED CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Stir in onions, green peppers, green chilies, and garlic. Cook and stir until onions are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the stew meat to the pot, cook until well browned, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the chili power, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick into the pot. Cook and stir until spices are aromatic, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and beer into the pot; stir in the tomato paste. Bring chili to a simmer and cook until beef is very tender and the liquids have thickened, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Mix the chili beans and chocolate into the chili. Simmer until the chocolate has melted and the chili is hot, 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN IN MOLE, PUEBLA STYLE

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, parboil the chicken in water seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Drain, reserving cooking broth, and refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.
• Prepare the Mole Poblano. Clean the chiles by removing stems, veins, and seeds; reserve 1 tablespoon of the seeds. Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a heavy skillet until it shimmers. Fry the chiles until crisp, about 10 to 15 seconds, turning once; make sure they do not burn. Drain on paper towels. Put the chiles in a nonreactive bowl, cover with hot water, and set aside for 30 minutes. Drain the chiles, reserving the soaking water. Puree the chiles in a blender with enough of the soaking water to make a smooth paste. It may be necessary to scrape down the sides and blend several times to obtain a smooth paste. In a heavy Dutch oven heat an additional 1/2 cup oil over medium heat and add the chile puree (be careful - it will splatter). Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Puree the tomatillos in a blender. In a coffee or spice grinder, grind the cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and toasted seeds. Add the seed mixture and the garlic to the pureed tomatillos and blend until smooth. Set aside.
• Heat 6 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy frying pan. Fry each of the following ingredients and then remove with a slotted spoon: the raisins until they puff up; the almonds to a golden brown; the pumpkin seeds until they pop. If necessary, add enough oil to make 4 tablespoons and fry the tortilla pieces and bread slices until golden brown, about 15 seconds per side; remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Add raisins, almonds, pumpkins seeds, tortillas, and bread to the tomatillo puree and blend, using 1 to 2 cups of the reserved chicken broth, as needed, to make a smooth sauce. This may have to be done in batches. In a heavy Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the chile puree, the tomatillo puree, and the Mexican chocolate (be careful - it will splatter). Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Add the remaining 5 cups of chicken broth, cook over low heat for an additional 45 minutes, stirring often enough to prevent the mixture from scorching on the bottom. During the last 15 minutes of cooking time, add the parboiled chicken and heat through. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve with white rice.