The Mole Poblano is a Mexican sauce typical of the city of Puebla.
The word mole (from Nahuatl: molli or mulli) refers to various types of sauces made with a base of chili and spices, often thickened with corn starch.
Prepared especially during holidays such as “Cinco de Mayo”*, there are several types that vary depending on the region: the most well-known is the mole poblano from the city of Puebla, with the peculiarity of using chocolate.
Originally, it mainly consisted of a sauce with a wide variety of ingredients, poured over pieces of guajolote – the Mexican name for turkey. Today, it is commonly used with chicken or other meats; I used turkey breast.
It is made with: dark chocolate, chili, chipotle, tomatoes, almonds, plantain, peanuts, raisins, sesame seeds, cloves, cinnamon, parsley, pepper, onion, garlic, and crumbled tortilla.
It is customary to accompany it with rice.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 people
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 plantain
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds (+ decoration)
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/3 cup peanuts
- 1 tortilla
- 1 chipotle (or another chili)
- to taste ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 7 oz 70% dark chocolate
- 7 fl oz chicken broth
- to taste lard
- to taste olive oil
- 1.1 lbs turkey breast (sliced)
- to taste Salt and pepper
Steps
If using chipotle, leave it in water and salt a day before, removing the seeds.
Blanch the tomatoes, removing the skin.
Toast in lard: the onion with garlic, add the sliced plantain, soaked and squeezed raisins, cinnamon, pepper, sesame seeds, cloves, almonds (with skin), peanuts, and crumbled tortilla. Combine the tomatoes.
Create a cream (blend it if necessary).
Add the chili and put back on the heat.
Then add the chocolate, salt, and chicken broth. Cook for 10 minutes.
Cook the turkey breast in a pan with a drizzle of oil and lemon.
Serve with rice on one side, turkey on the other covered with mole poblano and a sprinkle of sesame.
* Cinco de Mayo
One of the best-known holidays, especially outside Mexico, is: Cinco de Mayo, celebrated annually on May 5th in Mexico and the United States of America.
Also called “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla,” in Mexico, mainly in the state of Puebla, the holiday commemorates the day of victory against the French troops in the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862).
Also called “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla,” in Mexico, mainly in the state of Puebla, the holiday commemorates the day of victory against the French troops in the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862).
The occasion is seen as a celebration of Mexican pride.
The occasion is seen as a celebration of Mexican pride.
✔HISTORY:
Napoleon’s French army in 1862 marched toward Mexico City, but encountered strong resistance near Puebla.
Despite the differences in numbers, organization, and equipment, on 5/5/1862, the French suffered a remarkable defeat in what is remembered as the Battle of Puebla.
The city fell a few days later, on 5/17, but the episode remained very significant as a symbol of Mexican unity and pride.
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Chocolate, as is well known, was discovered by the Aztecs.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can mole be compared to Curry?
🔹Both have a base of chili peppers and other herbs and spices and contain a variety of nuts and seeds.
🔹Mole, like curry, is often served over meat and accompanied by rice.
🔹They are both legacies of medieval Islamic cooking techniques, with a base of onion + thickening sesame/nut paste + sweet spices.
