Thoroughly Modern Mole
Bring a bold twist to tradition with 'Thoroughly Modern Mole,' a rich and velvety Mexican-inspired sauce that combines deep, complex flavors with effortless modern cooking techniques. This recipe highlights toasted guajillo and ancho chiles, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cumin, and an unexpected duo of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate for a deeply satisfying balance of earthy and slightly sweet notes. Peanut butter adds a creamy texture, while a final garnish of crunchy pepitas elevates both presentation and flavor. Perfect for pairing with roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, or rice, this mole sauce is a versatile game-changer that’s surprisingly simple to prepare in just an hour. Whether you're looking to impress at dinner or spice up your weeknight meals, this contemporary take on mole is sure to steal the show.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces dried guajillo chiles
- 3 pieces dried ancho chiles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Instructions
Remove the stems and seeds from the guajillo and ancho chiles. Tear them into big pieces.
Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Toast the chile pieces for 1-2 minutes on each side until fragrant. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Stir in the cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and whole cloves. Toast the spices for 30 seconds until aromatic.
Add the toasted chiles, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and peanut butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chiles are softened and the flavors have melded together.
Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Remove the whole cloves.
Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Depending on your blender’s power, you may need to strain the sauce for an even smoother texture.
Return the sauce to the skillet over low heat. Stir in the chopped dark chocolate until fully melted and incorporated. Season the mole sauce with salt and adjust to taste.
Serve the Thoroughly Modern Mole warm, garnished with pepitas. Pair it with roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, or rice for a delicious and versatile meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
306 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.2 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 31% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 617 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.1 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.3 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.0 g | ||
| Protein | 8.2 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 67 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 808 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value 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.
