by Realeverton
Authentic Mexican mole sauce is a rich and flavorful sauce that is often served over chicken, beef, or pork. It is made with a blend of spices, nuts, and dried chilies, and can take several hours to prepare. While it may seem intimidating to make at first, the end result is worth the effort. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can easily create a delicious mole sauce that will impress your friends and family.
To begin, you will need to gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
- Dried chilies: Ancho chilies, guajillo chilies, and pasilla chilies are commonly used in mole sauce. You can find these at a Mexican grocery store or online.
- Nuts: Almonds, peanuts, and sesame seeds are often used in mole sauce. You can use either whole or ground nuts, depending on your preference.
- Spices: Cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice are some of the spices that are commonly used in mole sauce.
- Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes or canned tomato sauce can be used in this recipe.
- Onion and garlic: These will add flavor to the sauce.
- Chicken broth: This will help to thin out the sauce and add more liquid.
- Sugar: A little sugar helps to balance out the flavors in the sauce.
- Chocolate: Unsweetened chocolate is a key ingredient in mole sauce and adds a rich, depth of flavor.
Before you start cooking, you will need to prepare your dried chilies. To do this, remove the stems and seeds from the chilies and then toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant. Be sure to turn them frequently to prevent burning. Once they are toasted, place them in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or until they are soft.
While the chilies are soaking, you can start preparing the rest of the ingredients. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant and slightly golden. Then, finely grind the nuts in a food processor or blender.
Next, chop the onion and garlic and set them aside. If you are using fresh tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, then peel off the skins and chop them into small pieces.
Now it’s time to start cooking the sauce. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add a little oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they are soft and translucent. Then, add the ground nuts, spices, and chopped tomatoes (if using canned tomato sauce, add it now). Sauté for a few more minutes, until the ingredients are well combined.
Once the ingredients are well combined, add the soaked and drained chilies to the pot, along with the chicken broth and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 1 hour. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful the sauce will be.
After the sauce has simmered for at least an hour, it’s time to add the chocolate. Grate the chocolate and add it to the pot, stirring until it is fully melted and well combined with the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency.
When the sauce is finished, use a blender or food processor to puree it until it is smooth. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your appliance. Once the sauce is fully pureed, it is ready to be served. You can serve it over chicken, beef, or pork, or use it as a base for enchiladas or tamales.
There are many variations of mole sauce, and you can feel free to customize the recipe to your liking. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more chilies or use a hotter variety. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add more sugar. Experiment with different combinations of nuts and spices to find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste buds.
One important thing to note is that authentic Mexican mole sauce does take a bit of time and effort to prepare. However, the end result is well worth it, and the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for up to a month. This means you can make a large batch and enjoy it multiple times, which is convenient if you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to have some delicious sauce on hand for quick meals throughout the week.
As you work on perfecting your mole sauce recipe, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you achieve the best possible results. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Taste as you go: As you add ingredients to the sauce, be sure to taste it frequently. This will allow you to adjust the flavors and make sure that the sauce is well balanced. You may find that you need to add more sugar to balance out the heat of the chilies, or more spices to give the sauce more depth.
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the overall flavor of your mole sauce. Be sure to use fresh, high-quality nuts, chilies, and spices, and choose good-quality chocolate.
- Roast the nuts: Roasting the nuts before grinding them will give the sauce a deeper, more complex flavor. To roast the nuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake them at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are fragrant and lightly golden.
- Toast the spices: Toasting the spices before adding them to the sauce will help to bring out their flavors. To do this, heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the spices. Toast them for a few minutes, until they are fragrant, then add them to the sauce.
- Use a blender or food processor: To achieve a smooth and creamy sauce, it is best to puree the ingredients in a blender or food processor. If you don’t have either of these appliances, you can use a stick blender or a potato masher to puree the sauce by hand.
- Adjust the consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it is too thin, you can simmer it for a little longer to allow some of the liquid to evaporate, or you can add a little more ground nuts to thicken it up.
By following these tips, you should be able to create a delicious and authentic Mexican mole sauce that is perfect for serving over your favorite Mexican dishes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients and adjust the recipe to suit your personal taste preferences. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create a sauce that you can be proud of.
In addition to the traditional recipe outlined above, there are many variations of mole sauce that you can try. Here are a few ideas:
- Mole negro: This is a deep, rich sauce made with a blend of chilies, nuts, and spices, as well as chocolate and plantains. It is typically served over chicken or beef.
- Mole poblano: This is a classic mole sauce that is made with poblano peppers and a blend of spices, nuts, and chocolate. It is often served over chicken or pork.
- Mole verde: This is a lighter, fresher sauce made with a blend of green ingredients, such as cilantro, parsley, and green chilies. It is often served over chicken or fish.
- Mole almendrado: This is a mole sauce made with almonds and a blend of spices and chilies. It is often served over pork or chicken.
- Mole rojo: This is a mole sauce made with red chilies and a blend of spices, nuts, and chocolate. It is often served over chicken or beef.
These are just a few examples of the many variations of mole sauce that you can try. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of ingredients and flavors to find the perfect mole sauce for your taste preferences.
In addition to using mole sauce as a topping for meats, you can also use it as a base for other dishes, such as enchiladas or tamales. Simply spread a layer of the sauce over the filling of your choice and roll it up, then bake or steam it until it is heated through. Mole sauce is also delicious as a dipping sauce for appetizers or as a flavorful marinade for grilled meats.
No matter how you choose to use it, mole sauce is a delicious and versatile ingredient that is sure to add flavor and depth to your meals. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can easily create a delicious mole sauce that will impress your friends and family.
As you experiment with different variations of mole sauce, you may find that you prefer a certain type of chili or nut over others. Here are a few tips for selecting the best ingredients:
- Chilies: When selecting chilies for your mole sauce, look for ones that are plump and have smooth, unbroken skin. Avoid chilies that are wrinkled or have any signs of mold. If you are using dried chilies, be sure to soak them in hot water before using to soften them up.
- Nuts: Choose nuts that are fresh and not rancid. You can test for freshness by breaking the nut in half – if the inside is white and smells nutty, it is fresh. If it is yellow or brown and has a musty smell, it is past its prime and should be discarded.
- Spices: For the best flavor, use whole spices that you can grind yourself. Pre-ground spices can lose their flavor quickly and may not taste as fresh. Toasting the spices before grinding them will help to bring out their flavors.
- Chocolate: Choose high-quality unsweetened chocolate for your mole sauce. It should be smooth and have a rich, chocolatey aroma. Avoid chocolate that is grainy or has a burnt smell, as it may not melt well and could affect the flavor of the sauce.
By using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, you can be sure that your mole sauce will have the best flavor possible. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of chilies, nuts, and spices to find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste preferences.
In addition to the ingredients, it is important to pay attention to the cooking process to ensure that your mole sauce turns out perfectly. Be sure to soak the chilies for long enough to soften them, and allow the sauce to simmer for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Don’t be afraid to adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more broth or nuts as needed, and taste frequently to ensure that the flavors are well-balanced.
With a little practice and attention to detail, you can easily create a delicious and authentic mole sauce that will impress your friends and family. Whether you are serving it over meat or using it as a base for other dishes, mole sauce is sure to add flavor and depth to your meals.
