Mastering the Art of Making Mole from Scratch

If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with a truly authentic and flavorful Mexican dish, then you must learn how to make mole from scratch. Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce that is used to flavor a variety of dishes such as chicken, beef, pork, and even enchiladas. It is made with a combination of rich spices, chilies, nuts, and chocolate.

While the process may seem daunting, it is actually quite simple and the end result is worth the effort. By making your own mole from scratch, you can control the level of spice and sweetness to fit your personal preference. Plus, your guests will be blown away by the depth of flavor and complexity of the dish. So grab your apron and let’s get started on making your very own mole sauce!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Making mole from scratch requires a handful of ingredients that can typically be found at your local grocery store or market. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Chiles

The foundation of most moles is chiles, which give the sauce its signature smoky and spicy flavor. You’ll need a variety of dried chiles, such as ancho, guajillo, and pasilla, which can be found in the Latin section of your grocery store.

Nuts and Seeds

To give mole its rich, nutty flavor, you’ll need a mix of nuts and seeds such as almonds, sesame seeds, and peanuts.

Spices

Mole is all about complex flavors, which is why you’ll need a handful of spices, including cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and cloves.

Chocolate

Yes, chocolate is an essential ingredient in mole! It adds depth to the sauce and balances out the spiciness of the chiles. Use Mexican chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder.

Veggies and Herbs

To round out the dish, you’ll need onions, garlic, and tomatoes, along with fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, and cilantro.

Stock or Broth

To create the base of the sauce, you’ll need stock or broth. Chicken stock works well, but vegetable or beef stock will also suffice.

Oil and Vinegar

To add richness and tang to the mole, you’ll need oil and vinegar. Use vegetable oil or lard and apple cider or red wine vinegar.

Tortillas or Bread

Depending on the recipe, some mole sauces require bread or tortillas to thicken the sauce. Consider adding stale bread or corn tortillas to create a silky texture.

Honey or Sugar

While not always necessary, sometimes adding a touch of honey or sugar can help balance the flavors of the mole.

Patience and Time

Finally, making mole from scratch requires patience and time. There are several steps to the process, but the result is well worth it! Set aside a few hours to dedicate to this dish and enjoy the process.

Ingredients Needed to Make Mole from Scratch

Before we dive into the process of making mole, it’s important that we go over all the ingredients you’ll need to complete the recipe. Here are the main ingredients you’ll need:

1. Dried Peppers – The type of peppers you use will be the main flavor profile of the mole. Common types of peppers used in mole include ancho, guajillo, and mulato. The number of peppers used will vary depending on how mild or spicy you want your mole to be.

2. Nuts and Seeds – Mole is often thickened with nuts and seeds like almonds, sesame seeds, and peanuts.

3. Spices – The spice blend is what gives mole its depth of flavor. Cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves are all common spices used in mole.

4. Chocolate – The addition of chocolate to mole is what sets it apart from other sauces. Dark chocolate is preferred, but you can use unsweetened cocoa powder in a pinch.

5. Tomatoes and Onions – These ingredients are used as a base for the sauce.

6. Chicken Broth – This is used to thin out the sauce and add depth of flavor.

7. Garlic – Garlic is commonly used in mole for added flavor.

8. Sugar – This may seem like an odd ingredient to add to a savory sauce, but it balances out the bitterness of the peppers and chocolate.

9. Vegetable Oil – This is used for cooking the onions and garlic.

10. Salt – Salt helps to bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.

Now that we know what ingredients to gather, we can start the process of making mole from scratch.

Ingredients You Need for Mole Sauce

Making mole sauce from scratch is a culinary adventure, requiring a wide array of ingredients and a fair amount of time. While it might look intimidating, don’t let that scare you off. The result is definitely worth it. Here are the key ingredients needed for this recipe.

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start making mole, there is some prep work to be done. The first thing to do is to remove the stems and seeds from the dried chili peppers. To do this, simply cut the peppers in half and remove the seeds, using a small knife. Then, toast the chili peppers in a skillet over medium heat, taking care not to burn them.

Next, chop the onion into quarters and cook in the same skillet over medium heat until it’s soft and lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Reserve one of the garlic cloves for later.

Toast the sesame seeds in the same skillet until they’re golden brown, then remove from heat. In the same skillet, toast the almonds until they’re lightly browned.

Making the Mole Sauce

Now that all of your ingredients are prepped, it’s time to start making the mole sauce. Begin by adding the toasted chili peppers, onion, garlic, cloves, cinnamon stick, sesame seeds, almonds, and raisins to a blender, along with enough chicken or vegetable broth to create a smooth puree.

Next, heat a large pot over medium heat and add the puree, along with the oregano, tomato sauce, and the remaining chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the mole sauce has cooked for 30 minutes, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until it’s smooth. Be careful not to fill the blender jar too full, or it could explode.

Return the blended mole sauce to the pot and add in the Mexican chocolate or dark chocolate, crumbled into small pieces. Heat until the chocolate has melted and mixed completely with the mole sauce, then add salt to taste.

Making Mole Chicken

Now that your mole sauce is ready, it’s time to make mole chicken. Begin by thoroughly seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper. Then, brown the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Next, add about 2 cups of your mole sauce to the skillet and heat until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken with additional mole sauce on top, and enjoy your homemade mole feast!

Making Mole for Vegetarians

Don’t worry if you’re a vegetarian, you can still enjoy the goodness of mole sauce. Simply replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and substitute the chicken with roasted vegetables or vegan protein like tofu. This recipe is versatile that way, and it tastes great with multiple vegetables like cauliflower, sweet potato, and zucchini, among others.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about how to make mole from scratch! I hope this article has inspired you to give it a go and experiment with adding your own twists. Cooking is all about having fun and exploring new flavors, so don’t be afraid to be creative. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line in the comments section. And don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back later for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!