#complexflavors

Mole Poblano is a quintessential Mexican dish that boasts a rich blend of flavors, embodying the complexity and depth of Mexico's culinary heritage. This sauce, often referred to as the national dish of Mexico, is a perfect marriage of indigenous ingredients and Old World spices, featuring a mix of chili peppers, chocolate, and an array of spices and nuts. It's traditionally served over chicken, turning a simple meal into a festive occasion.Preparation Time: 1 hour Cooking Time: 3 hours Resting Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Serving: 6Ingredients: - 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) - 4 dried Ancho chilies - 3 dried Guajillo chilies - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds - 1 small onion, quartered - 2 cloves of garlic - 2 tomatoes, roasted - 1 tablespoon raisins - 1 small piece of Mexican chocolate (about 30g) - 1/4 cup almonds - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground clove - 3 cups chicken broth - Salt to taste - Vegetable oilMethod: - Prepare the Chicken: - In a large pot, cover the chicken thighs with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove chicken, reserving the broth. - Prepare the Chilies: - Remove stems and seeds from the dried chilies. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Soak in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain. - Make the Mole Sauce: - In a blender, combine the soaked chilies, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, almonds, raisins, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and clove. Blend until smooth, adding chicken broth as needed to achieve a sauce-like consistency. - Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the blended sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens and darkens, about 20 minutes. - Stir in the Mexican chocolate until melted and incorporated. Season with salt to taste. - Combine Chicken and Sauce: - Add the cooked chicken thighs to the pot with the mole sauce, covering them well. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. - Serve: - Serve the mole poblano over rice or with warm tortillas. Garnish with additional sesame seeds.Notes: - Mole sauce is traditionally labor-intensive, but this recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor. - The sauce can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen for future use. - Feel free to adjust the amount of chocolate and spices according to your taste preferences.Nutritional Information per Serving (Based on USDA Guidelines): - Calories: 450 kcal - Protein: 25g - Carbohydrates: 20g - Fat: 30g - Fiber: 5g - Sodium: 700mg - Sugars: 10g . . . . Click to see recipe. #Recipe #Chef #Foodie