Molé Spice Rub Food

MOLE SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Whisk together the chile powders, salt, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, chile de arbol, allspice, cloves and black pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container or small jars with tight-fitting lids for up to 6 months or use in the Mole-Rubbed Braised Chicken Thigh Tacos.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rub both sides of each thigh with some of the mole spice rub.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven large enough to fit the chicken thighs in a single layer. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
• Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Add the broth and cilantro; bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pot, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the chicken is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and let cool slightly then shred with a fork; discard the bones.
• Meanwhile, continue to cook the braising liquid uncovered until reduced by half and thickened, about 15 minutes. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
• While the braising liquid is reducing, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and warm in the oven.
• Heat a small cast-iron pan over medium heat until heated. Remove a warm tortilla from the foil and cook in the dry pan until slightly charred on both sides. Fill with the chicken, top with guacamole, pickled onions and/or shredded cabbage.

MOLé SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Mix all of the spices together in a mixing bowl andstir very well to combine.
• If you are adding the spice rub to meat, then do sojust before cooking. Apply liberally andthen cook using the desired method.
• Be careful not to burn the spices. Cooking with a little lower heat than normalcan help with this, but still remember to preheat the oven, pan or BBQ beforecooking your meat!

SPICE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH MOLE, GREEN RICE, CILANTRO, LIME AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the mole sauce: Put the almonds in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the almonds to a plate.
• Increase the heat to high, add the oil to the saucepan and heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the garlic and onions and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, chipotle puree, ancho chile powder, sesame seeds, New Mexico chile powder, cinnamon, chile de arbol, allspice and cloves. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the mango, raisins, tortilla chips, molasses, honey, maple syrup and reserved almonds. Pour in the warmed chicken stock and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mangoes are soft and the mixture is reduced by half, about 50 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender, let cool for 5 minutes and then blend until smooth. Return the mixture to the pan over high heat. Add the chocolate and cook until reduced to a sauce consistency, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the green rice: Add the rice and 3 cups water to a saucepan and season with salt. Bring to a boil, stir, place a lid on the pan, reduce the heat to medium and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Remove the rice from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Stir in the cilantro, green onions, poblanos and some salt and pepper.
• For the spice rub and pork: Remove the pork from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Combine the ancho chile powder, brown sugar. pasilla chile powder, cinnamon, allspice, chile de arbol and 1 tablespoon salt in a small bowl.
• Season the pork with salt on both sides. Dredge the pork in the spice rub and tap off any excess. Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer. Cook, turning every few minutes to sear on all sides, until the pork is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to the oven and cook to medium doneness (or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 145 degrees F), 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the tenderloin to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1-inch-thick slices.
• Ladle some of the mole sauce onto each plate and put 3 slices of pork on top. Put a scoop of rice on the side. Add more sauce on top, some crumbled goat cheese, a squeeze of lime and chopped cilantro.

MEXICAN "MOLE" RUB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and mix to blend.
• Can be stored in a jar away from light for 3 months.