Mole Plate
Features their signature mole sauce.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Mole has roots in pre-Hispanic Mexico, evolving from a simple sauce to a complex and celebrated dish. Indigenous cultures combined chili peppers, spices, and herbs. The arrival of the Spanish brought new ingredients like nuts, seeds, and chocolate, further enriching the sauce. Over centuries, regional variations developed, creating diverse mole styles.
Mole holds significant cultural importance in Mexico, often associated with celebrations, family gatherings, and religious ceremonies.
Celebrations and Festivities
Mole is frequently served during special occasions like weddings, quinceañeras, and Day of the Dead. The preparation of mole is a communal effort, often involving multiple generations of women in a family.
Regional Identity
Different regions of Mexico boast unique mole recipes, reflecting local ingredients and culinary traditions. Mole Poblano, from Puebla, is perhaps the most famous, while Oaxaca is known for its seven different moles.
Family Tradition
Mole recipes are often passed down through families, carefully guarded and adapted over time. Each family's mole recipe is a source of pride and a symbol of their heritage.
Mole is characterized by a complex blend of flavors, including sweet, savory, spicy, and smoky notes.
The flavor profile of mole varies greatly depending on the type of mole. Common ingredients include chili peppers (such as ancho, pasilla, and guajillo), spices (like cinnamon, cloves, and cumin), nuts (almonds, peanuts, pecans), seeds (sesame, pumpkin), chocolate, fruits (raisins, plantains), and tomatoes. The sauce is often thickened with tortillas or bread. The meat served with mole, such as chicken or turkey, absorbs these complex flavors.
Toast and Hydrate Chilies
Toasting the chilies enhances their flavor and aroma. Hydrating them in hot water softens them and makes them easier to blend.
Grind Spices Fresh
Grinding spices just before using them releases their essential oils and maximizes their flavor.
Simmer Low and Slow
Simmering the mole sauce for an extended period allows the flavors to meld together and deepen.
Adjust Sweetness and Spice
Taste and adjust the sweetness and spice levels to your preference. Add more chocolate or fruit for sweetness, or more chili peppers for heat.
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