Mole Rojo Food

A SIMPLE MOLE ROJO RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the lard in a large skillet over medium-low to medium heat.
• Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onions become translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. When the onion softens enough to drape over your spatula, set the skillet aside. Reserve.
• In a high-speed blender, puree the roasted tomatoes with the peanuts or peanut butter.
• Add the Mexican oregano, cinnamon, anise seeds, peppercorns, thyme, clove, and cocoa powder and blend at high speed to make a smooth paste.
• Add the reserved sautéed onions to the blender and puree again until the mixture becomes very smooth.
• Add the raisins and soaked chiles and blend into a smooth paste.
• Pour 4 cups of chicken broth in a medium pot, and reserve 1/4 for later use.
• Whisk the masa with the reserved 1/4 cup of chicken broth to create a roux.
• Stir the roux into the pot and whisk until smooth.
• Add the pureed ingredients to the pan. Cover and simmer for 1 hour until the mole turns thick and aromatic.
• Uncover, taste, and add salt, if needed.
• Use your homemade mole as a sauce over your preferred dishes. Enjoy!

CHICKEN MOLE

Steps:

• Put the chicken and peppercorns in a large pot, cover with water and season with salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large plate and set the cooking liquid aside.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing, until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside 2 tablespoons for garnish and transfer the rest to a blender. In the same skillet, toast the cloves, cinnamon stick, and anise and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add to the blender.
• Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chile peppers. Heat 4 tablespoons canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chiles and fry until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with hot water and set aside to soak until pliable, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the raisins, almonds, pumpkin seeds and tortilla pieces to the oil in the skillet and cook, stirring, until the seeds and tortillas are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add to the blender along with the oil from the skillet. Add the softened chiles and puree, pouring in 2 to 3 cups of the soaking liquid to make a thick, smooth sauce.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 4 cups of the reserved chicken cooking liquid and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 20 minutes. Add the chocolate and simmer, stirring frequently, until the chocolate melts and the sauce reduces, about 20 more minutes. Add the sugar and season with salt.
• Add the chicken pieces to the sauce and warm through over low heat. Garnish with the reserved sesame seeds.
• Photgraph by Con Poulos