-----SEASONINGS & THICKENERS-----
1/2 c Sesame seed
2 T Salad oil
1 Plantain, sm, peeled/chopped
1/2 c Dry-roasted almonds
1/2 c Peanuts
1/2 c Prunes, pitted, chopped
1/3 c Raisins
2 Cinnamon sticks, 2" long
1 t Coriander seed
1 t Anise seed
-----ASSEMBLING THE MOLE-----
2 c Chicken broth, reg strength
4 oz Mexican chocolate**
* - cut in half horizontally
** - or 4 oz. semisweet chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
ROASTING THE CHILIES
1. Lay dried mulato, ancho, pasilla, and chipotle chilies in a single layer
in 10x15" pans. Bake in a 300°F. oven until chilies smell lightly toasted
and are flexible, 5-8 minutes. While they are still warm, discard stems and
shake out seeds.
2. Rinse chilies and put in a large bowl; add 8 cups boiling water. Let
stand until soft, 20-30 minutes. Drain; save liquid. Smoothly puree
chilies, a portion at a time, in food processor or blender. Add a total 2
cups reserved liquid. (In processor, use a little liquid to get mixture
moving; add rest when pureed.) Rub firmly through fine strainer into a
bowl; discard residue. Use, or chill airtight up to 1 day.
ROASTING THE VEGETABLES
1. In a 10x15" pan, combine onions, tomato, tomatillos, garlic (cut side
down), and tortillas. Bake in a 450°F. oven, turning occasionally, until
the vegetables and tortillas have dark brown spots or edges. Let cool. Pull
off vegetable skins and discard.
2. Smoothly puree mixture in a food processor or blender; add a total of 1
cup reserved chili-soaking liquid, from step 1. (In processor, use a little
liquid to get mixture moving; add rest when pureed.) Rub firmly through
fine strainer into a bowl; discard residue. Use, or chill airtight up to 1
day.
COOKING THE SEASONINGS AND THICKENERS
1. In a 10x12" frying pan over medium heat, stir sesame seed until toasted,
about 4 minutes; set aside.
2. To pan, add oil, plantain, almonds, peanuts, prunes, raisins, cinnamon,
coriander, and anise. Stir often over medium heat until mixture is richly
browned, 10-15 minutes. Smoothly puree mixture and sesame seed in a food
processor or blender. Add remaining chili-soaking liquid, from step 1. (In
processor, use a little to get moving; add rest when pureed.) Use, or chill
airtight up to 1 day.
ASSEMBLING THE MOLE
1. In a 5-6 quart pan, mix chilies, vegetables, seasonings and thickeners,
and broth. Bring to a simmer on medium heat; cover and simmer to blend
flavors, about 2 hours, stirring often.
2. Chop chocolate; mix with sauce until melted. Use mole as suggested,
following; or chill airtight up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
