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10 Steps

Mole Poblano, 48 servings

  1. Mole · Step 1 of 8

    Char the 1 lb Roma tomatoes and 10.5 oz tomatillos on a hot comal or dry skillet, turning, until blistered and soft. Stem and seed the 6 oz dried ancho chiles, 6 oz dried pasilla chiles, 6 oz dried mulato chiles and 0.75 oz dried chipotle chiles, saving the seeds you need for the 1 cup reserved chile seeds.

    tomato and tomatillo skins blackened in patches and the flesh slumping

  2. Mole · Step 2 of 8

    Heat the 1 cup lard in a large, wide casserole over medium-high heat for about 2 min. Fry the chiles in two or three batches, stirring often, then lift them out with a slotted spoon into a bowl.

    chiles glossy, puffed and fragrant

    pull them before any part turns black

  3. Mole · Step 3 of 8

    In the same fat, cook the 1 lb white onion and 6 cloves garlic, stirring, for 2 min to 3 min. Stir in the 6 tbsp raw almonds with skin, 6 tbsp raw shelled peanuts, 6 tbsp raisins and 2 tbsp hulled pumpkin seeds and cook for another 2 min to 3 min.

    onion softened and fragrant

    raisins plump and the nuts lightly toasted

  4. Mole · Step 4 of 8

    Add the ½ cup sesame seeds, 1 cup reserved chile seeds, 10 whole cloves, ½ tsp anise seeds, ½ tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, 2 sticks true (Ceylon) cinnamon stick, ½ tsp ground allspice, ¼ tsp dried thyme and ¼ tsp dried marjoram. Cook for 3 min to 4 min, stirring often.

    the sesame turns golden and the pan smells of toasted spice

  5. Mole · Step 5 of 8

    Push everything aside, add the 4 corn tortillas and 4 oz bolillo, telera or baguette along with the charred tomatoes and tomatillos, and let it all cook for a couple of minutes.

  6. Mole · Step 6 of 8

    Return the fried chiles to the pan and pour in the 10 cups chicken broth. When it simmers, add the 12 oz Mexican chocolate and 2 tsp kosher or sea salt, stir well and simmer for 12 min to 15 min.

    the chocolate has melted into the broth

  7. Mole · Step 7 of 8

    Turn off the heat, cover and leave for 30 min so the chiles soften completely.

  8. Mole · Step 8 of 8

    Blend in batches until completely smooth. Store it now, or thin and serve.

    thick, glossy and velvety, with no gritty bits

  9. To Serve · Step 1 of 2

    For each cup of mole, add half a cup of 8 cups chicken broth, for thinning in a saucepan and simmer for 2 min to 3 min.

    the sauce coats a spoon thickly but pours

  10. To Serve · Step 2 of 2

    Spoon the hot mole over poached or roasted chicken or turkey and finish with a shower of 1 cup toasted sesame seeds.