Mole sauce

Image
mole poblano
Preparation time
2 Hours 25 Minutes
Servings
10
Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 8 ancho chiles (about 4 ounces), rinsed, stemmed, seeded, and torn into pieces
  • 8 pasilla chiles (about 2 ½ ounces), rinsed, stemmed, seeded, and torn into pieces
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup unsalted peanuts
  • ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1 corn tortilla
  • 1 slice white bread
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 4-inch Ceylon cinnamon stick (If you don’t have a Mexican cinnamon stick (also known as Ceylon cinnamon), you can use 2 teaspoons of ground Ceylon cinnamon instead. If using ground cinnamon, add it in step 12 along with the Mexican chocolate, chicken bouillon, and salt.)
  • 10 whole black peppercorns
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 medium white onion, sliced
  • ½ cup sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
  • 7-8 cups chicken broth
  • 3.1 ounces Mexican chocolate (about 1 round disc)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
  • Cooked chicken, for serving
Instructions
  1. Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-
    high heat. Add ½ of the ancho chiles, ½ of the pasilla chiles, and fry for
    1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning them.
    Shake off any excess oil from the chiles and transfer them to a large
    heat-safe bowl. Add in the remaining batch of ancho and pasilla chiles,
    and repeat.
  2. To the same pot, add the almonds, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds. Pan
    fry for 1 minute until lightly toasted and fragrant. Transfer them to the
    same large heat-safe bowl.
  3. In the same pot, heat 1 more tablespoon of oil. Add the corn tortilla and
    lightly fry for 30 seconds on each side. Transfer it to the bowl.
  4. In the same pot, add the white bread and lightly toast for 30 seconds on
    each side. Transfer it to the bowl.
  5. Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the same pot and add the cinnamon
    stick. Fry for 30 seconds, stirring often, then add in the raisins and
    continue frying for 2 minutes. Transfer everything to the large bowl.
  6. Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the same pot. Add the black
    peppercorns, coriander seeds, garlic, and cloves, and lightly fry for 1
    minute, stirring often. Transfer it to the bowl.
  7. Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the same pot and add the onions.
    Fry for 3 minutes until softened, then transfer them to the large bowl.
  8. Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the same pot and add the sesame
    seeds. Fry for 1 minute until lightly toasted, stirring often, then
    transfer them to the bowl. Remove the pot from the heat and set
    aside.
  9. Heat the chicken broth in the microwave or a pot on the stove for 5
    minutes until very hot. Pour it into the large bowl of fried ingredients.
    Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and let everything soak for 15
    minutes.
  10. Transfer half of the softened ingredients along with half of the liquid to a
    large blender and blend for 3 to 5 minutes on high until it’s as smooth as
    possible. Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer and into
    the same large Dutch oven or pot used for frying. Repeat with the
    remaining ingredients and liquid.
  11. Add the Mexican chocolate, chicken bouillon, and salt in the large
    Dutch oven or pot filled with the strained mole sauce. Heat over
    medium heat and cook for 8 minutes, until the chocolate has
    completely melted and the chicken bouillon has fully incorporated into
    the sauce. Taste and season with additional salt if necessary.
  12. Add in the cooked chicken pieces and cook for 2 more minutes to heat
    everything through. Serve the chicken with a generous helping of mole
    sauce and garnish with sesame seeds.

Storage and reheating: Store the cooled mole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave until warmed through.