Rich mole oozes the spicy flavours of Mexico
The Day of the Dead is a holiday observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries that celebrates and honours the memory of deceased loved ones.
Falling on Nov. 1, just a day after Halloween celebrations, the holiday shares some of the sentiment of Halloween, but it is a very different occasion.
Where Halloween views the dead as spooky haunts, the day known locally as Dia de los Muertos remembers them as beloved citizens of the afterlife.
And even if you don’t celebrate Dia de los Muertos in the traditional way, this recipe is a labour of love that you can share with your beloved family.
Mole Poblano
Serves: 8 Start to finish: 2 hours, 45 minutes (active time: 2 hours)
1/4 cup (60 mL) lard or unsalted butter
4 mulato chilies, wiped clean, seeds and veins removed, seeds reserved
2 ancho chilies, wiped clean, seeds and veins removed, seeds reserved
3 pasilla chilies, wiped clean, seeds and veins removed, seeds reserved
2 chipotle chilies, wiped clean, seeds and veins removed, seeds reserved 2 Roma tomatoes, quartered 3 tomatillos, quartered 1/4 cup (60 mL) raisins 10 whole almonds 1/4cup (60 mL) pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup (60 mL) sesame seeds 2 tbsp (30 mL) peanuts 2 tbsp (30 mL) pecans 1 stale corn tortilla 1/2 white onion, halved 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled 5 black peppercorns 1 whole clove 1 Mexican canela stick or cinnamon stick (about 1 inch/2.5 cm) 1/4 tsp (1 mL) coriander seeds 1/4 tsp (1 mL) anise seeds 3 tbsp (45 mL) canola oil 2 cups (500 mL) chicken broth 2 oz (58 g) Mexican chocolate, roughly chopped 1/4 cup (60 mL) sugar Salt, to taste Heat the lard in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mulato chilies and fry until the chilies begin to blister and change colour, about 2 minutes on each side.
Use tongs to transfer to a large heat-safe bowl.
Repeat the process with the ancho, pasilla, and chipotle chilies. Fill the bowl with enough hot water to cover the chilies and set aside to soak for 15 minutes.
Drain the chilies and transfer to a blender. Blend, adding water as needed, until a smooth purée forms. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve and set aside.
In the same pot, add the tomatoes and tomatillos and fry until soft, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
Add the raisins and fry until plump, about 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Repeat the process with the almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts, pecans, tortilla, and reserved chili seeds. Set aside 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the lard.
Meanwhile, in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until the papery skin of the garlic turns brown, about 3 minutes.
Carefully remove the skin, then return to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are soft and blackened all over, about 4 minutes.
Add the reserved lard to a small skillet over low heat. Add the black pepper, cloves, canela, coriander, and anise seeds and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Transfer the reserved vegetables, seeds, tortilla, and spices to a blender and purée, adding water as needed, until smooth. Strain through a sieve and set aside.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the reserved chili purée and cook until it deepens in colour and you can see the bottom of the pan when scraped with a wooden spoon, about 15 minutes.
Add the strained vegetable and spice mixture. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mole thickens, about 45 minutes.
Add chicken broth and continue cooking until the mole coats the back of a spoon, about 30 minutes.
Add the chocolate and continue cooking, about 30 minutes. Add 1/2 of the sugar, the remaining to your taste. Season with salt, to taste. Serve the mole over poached chicken or turkey, with warmed corn tortillas and toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
— The Culinary Institute of America