Best 8 Ancho Mole Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Mexican cuisine with our comprehensive guide to preparing the iconic Ancho Mole, a rich and flavorful sauce that elevates any dish. In this article, we present three distinct variations of this traditional sauce, each capturing the essence of Mexican culinary heritage while offering unique flavor profiles. Our recipes include the classic Ancho Mole, a timeless blend of dried ancho chiles, spices, nuts, and chocolate, perfect for enhancing enchiladas, tamales, or roasted meats. For a smoky and earthy twist, try our Oaxacan Black Mole, featuring an array of dried chiles, including pasilla, mulato, and guajillo, along with a hint of chocolate and achiote paste. And if you prefer a subtle sweetness, our Poblano Mole, made with poblano peppers, almonds, and raisins, adds a touch of elegance to any dish. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your loved ones with these authentic Ancho Mole recipes, guaranteed to transport you to the vibrant streets of Mexico.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CORNBREAD CASSEROLE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH, MUSHROOMS, AND ANCHO MOLE



Cornbread Casserole and Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Ancho Mole image

Categories     Bread     Mushroom     Vegetable     Bake     Roast     Thanksgiving     Vegetarian     Squash     Butternut Squash     Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

Filling:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 1/4 pounds assorted wild mushrooms (such as oyster, chanterelle, and portobello), coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 cups 1/2-inch cubes seeded peeled butternut squash (about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 cups drained rinsed black beans (from two 15-ounce cans)
2 cups diced tomatoes in juice (from two 14 1/2-ounce cans)
1/2 cup water
Cornbread:
4 cups Masa Harina (corn tortilla mix)
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 1/4 cups (or more) water
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) butter, melted, divided
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 cups (packed) coarsely grated extra-sharp white cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Ancho Mole

Steps:

  • For filling:
  • Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add sage, thyme, garlic, and cumin; stir 1 minute. Add squash, beans, tomatoes with juice, and 1/2 cup water; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 8 minutes. Uncover and simmer until vegetables are tender and most of liquid has evaporated but mixture is still very moist, about 12 minutes. Season filling generously with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover; chill.)
  • For cornbread:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish. Mix Masa Harina, cornmeal, salt, and baking powder in large bowl. Whisk 4 1/4 cups water, 6 tablespoons melted butter, eggs, and egg yolk in another large bowl to blend. Stir egg mixture into Masa Harina mixture. Stir in cheese and parsley, adding more water by tablespoonfuls as needed to form thick moist dough.
  • Transfer 4 cups dough to prepared baking dish. Place large piece of plastic wrap atop dough. Using plastic as aid, press dough evenly over bottom and 3/4 of the way up sides of dish; peel off plastic. Spoon filling into dough in dish, spreading evenly. Spoon remaining dough in small dollops atop filling. Using offset spatula, gently spread dollops evenly over filling to cover. Press top and bottom dough together at edges to seal, enclosing filling. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
  • Brush top of casserole with 4 tablespoons melted butter. Bake until dough is light golden and casserole is heated through, about 1 hour (or about 1 hour 15 minutes if chilled). Cool 10 minutes. Cut into squares; serve with Ancho Mole.

CHICKEN IN PUMPKIN-ANCHO MOLE SAUCE



Chicken in Pumpkin-Ancho Mole Sauce image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

8 cups water, divided
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon whole cloves
6 bone-in, skinless chicken breasts
5 ancho chiles (dried poblano peppers)
2 large jalapenos, halved
1 large onion, quartered
3 Roma tomatoes, halved and seeded
4 whole garlic cloves
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 large bunch cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
16 corn tortillas, kept warm
2 limes, cut into 8 wedges
2 avocados, halved, pitted and flesh sliced
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine 6 cups water, salt, sugar, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Once the sugar and salt have dissolved, remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a large bowl, add the chicken, and refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. In a medium heatproof bowl, add the ancho chiles and cover with the boiling water. Weigh down with a plate so the peppers remain under water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the stems when the peppers have softened.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. On a sheet tray toss the jalapenos, onion, tomatoes, garlic and cumin with 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast until nicely caramelized with good color, 25 to 30 minutes. Add the pumpkin seeds to a dry, hot skillet on high heat. Stir often, until the seeds are golden and begin to pop. Transfer to a food processor along with roasted vegetables. Add the soaked chiles, about 2 tablespoons of chili soaking liquid, the cilantro leaves and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the processor. Puree until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Remove the chicken from the refrigerator, blot dry with paper towels and put into a large Dutch oven. Pour in the mole sauce and bake, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool. When cool to the touch, shred the chicken and add it back to the sauce. Spoon the mole into corn tortillas and serve with lime wedges, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, red onion, and radishes. Garnish with cilantro leaves and enjoy.

ANCHO AND CHIPOTLE MOLE



Ancho and Chipotle Mole image

The rich flavors of this mole are perfect with steak, pork, shrimp or beans, or simmer the sauce with chicken or turkey for a mole stew. Cooking time is chill time. MAKE AHEAD: The sauce can be refrigerated for 3 weeks. Recipe is a Food and Wine staff favorite from Marcia Kiesel. December 2001.

Provided by NcMysteryShopper

Categories     Mexican

Time 1h

Yield 6 4-Ounce Jars

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 large ancho chilies
2 dried chipotle chiles
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 red bell peppers
2 whole cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick, broken
3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
salt

Steps:

  • In a bowl, cover the anchos and chipotles with the boiling water. Let soak for 30 minutes, until softened. Drain, reserving the liquid. Discard the stems, cores and seeds; coarsely chop the chiles.
  • Preheat the broiler or light a gas flame. Char the peppers for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred all over. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with plastic and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel the peppers and discard the skin, stems and seeds, then coarsely chop.
  • In a small dry skillet, toast the cloves, cumin and cinnamon stick over moderately low heat until darkened and fragrant, 1 1/2 minutes. Let cool. Grind to a powder in a spice grinder. Transfer to a plate. Add the sunflower seeds to the skillet and toast, shaking the pan a few times, about 3 minutes. Let cool. Transfer the seeds to the grinder; finely grind.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add the garlic and cook over low heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until glossy, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until melted.
  • In a blender, combine the chiles and their soaking liquid with the bell peppers, the ground spices, the ground sunflower seeds and the garlic mixture and blend until smooth. Scrape the mole into a large bowl and season with salt. Transfer the sauce to jars and refrigerate.

ANCHO MOLE



Ancho Mole image

Categories     Chocolate     Pepper     Tomato     Vegetable     Thanksgiving     Hot Pepper     Fall     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded
4 cups warm water
1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup almonds, chopped
1/2 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sesame seeds
4 whole canned plum tomatoes (from 14 1/2-ounce can), drained
2 3/4 cups (or more) water
1 1/2 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

Steps:

  • Place chiles in large bowl; pour 4 cups warm water over. Let stand until chiles are soft, about 2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup soaking liquid. Coarsely chop chiles.
  • Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add almonds, peanuts, raisins, and sesame seeds; sauté until toasted, about 12 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor; add chiles with 1 cup reserved chile soaking liquid and plum tomatoes. Puree until mixture is almost smooth. Return mixture to skillet; add 2 3/4 cups water and bring to boil, whisking to blend. Reduce heat to medium-low; add chocolate and whisk until melted. Simmer until sauce thickens and darkens, adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls if too thick, about 15 minutes. Season with pepper and generous amount of salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover; chill. Rewarm over low heat, whisking often.)

ANCHO MOLE COOKIES



Ancho Mole Cookies image

Hold these sesame-coated chocolate-and-nut cookies up to the light to appreciate the stained-glass effect of the dried fruit.

Provided by Rick Martinez

Categories     Bon Appétit     Dessert     Cookies     Chile Pepper     Dried Fruit     Nut     Cinnamon     Dark Chocolate     Sesame     Christmas     Winter     Soy Free     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Peanut Free

Yield Makes about 48

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup (140 g) nuts (such as blanched hazelnuts, blanched almonds, or walnuts)
1¼ cups (185 g; or more) raw sesame seeds, divided
⅓ cup (54 g) ancho powder (pure ground ancho chiles, not ancho chile powder, which has added salt, cumin, and other spices)
¼ cup agave syrup, preferably dark
2 cups (256 g) all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup (100 g) sugar
1¾ tsp. kosher salt
3 large egg yolks
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
¾ cup (130 g) dried fruit (such as papaya, mango, or pineapple), cut into (¾") pieces
¾ cup (110 g) bittersweet chocolate wafers (disks, pistoles, fèves; preferably 72% cacao)
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Toast nuts and ¼ cup sesame seeds on a rimmed baking sheet on upper rack, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool.
  • Stir together ancho powder and agave syrup in a small bowl. Whisk flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed, until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks and vanilla and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute. Scrape in ancho mixture and beat until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients, and beat to combine. Add dried fruit, chocolate, and toasted nuts and sesame seeds; mix with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed.
  • Divide dough in half. Working one at a time, roll each piece into a 10"-long log. Wrap each log tightly in plastic and roll across work surface to make as smooth and cylindrical as possible. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze until surface is firm, about 20 minutes.
  • Slap a log down onto counter to create a flat side; roll over and slap again to flatten another side (you're aiming for a triangular shape). Repeat to create third side of the triangle. Tap against counter to smooth if needed, then tap ends to flatten. Repeat with second log. Return logs to baking sheet; freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
  • Working one at a time, unwrap logs and brush sides with egg white. Working on baking sheet, sprinkle sides with remaining 1 cup sesame seeds and gently press to coat. Surface should be covered; use more sesame if needed. Freeze logs on baking sheet, uncovered, until surface is very firm but not frozen solid, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice a log crosswise into ¼"-thick triangles and divide cookies between 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1" apart. (If dough is soft or starts to lose its shape, freeze 10 minutes before continuing.) Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and back to front halfway through, until edges are just set, about 10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets. Transfer cookies to a platter or airtight container and line baking sheets with fresh sheets of parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining dough.
  • Do Ahead: Dough can be rolled into logs 3 days ahead; refrigerate. Transfer to freezer 30 minutes before slicing. Cookies can be baked 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature.

ANCHO CHILE MEATLOAF WITH ROJO MOLE RECIPE BY TASTY



Ancho Chile Meatloaf With Rojo Mole Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: lean ground beef, Kroger® Ancho Chile with Rojo Mole Meatball & Meatloaf Kit, large eggs, water

Provided by Kroger

Categories     Dinner

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 ½ lb lean ground beef
1 box Kroger® Ancho Chile with Rojo Mole Meatball & Meatloaf Kit
2 large eggs
½ cup water

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, seasoning mix, and eggs until well combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • In a separate large bowl, mix together the sauce mix and water. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Shape the ground beef mixture into a loaf and place in a 8x4-inch (20 x 10 cm) loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes.
  • Remove the sauce from the refrigerator, uncover, and give it a quick stir. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and pour the sauce over.
  • Return the meatloaf to the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (75°C). Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Cut the meatloaf into 8 slices, then serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175 calories, Carbohydrate 0 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 17 grams, Sugar 0 grams

ANCHO & CHIPOTLE MOLE



ANCHO & CHIPOTLE MOLE image

Categories     Sauce     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Vegan

Yield 24 oz

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 large ancho chiles
2 dried chipotle chiles
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 red bell peppers
2 whole cloves
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick, broken
3 T sunflower seeds
2 T extra virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 T tomato paste
2 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
salt to taste

Steps:

  • 1. In a bowl, cover the anchos and chipotles with the boiling water. Let soak for 30 minutes until softened. Drain, reserving the liquid. Discard the stems, cores & seeds; coarsely chop the chiles. 2. Preheat the broiler or light a gas flame. Char the peppers for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred all over. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with plastic and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel the peppers and discard the skin, stems and seeds, then coarsely chop. 3. In a small dry skillet, toast the cloves, cumin and cinnamon stick over moderately low heat until darkened and fragrant, about 1 1/2 minutes. Let cool. Grind to a powder in spice grinder. Transfer to a plate. Add sunflower seeds to skillet and toast, shaking the pan a few times, about 3 minutes. Let cool. Transfer the seeds to the grinder. Finely grind. 4. Heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add garlic and cook over low heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring until glossy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. 5. In a blender, combine chiles and soaking liquid with other ingredients. Blend until smooth. Season with salt. Store in refrigerator in jars

BEEF CHILI WITH ANCHO, MOLE, AND CUMIN



Beef Chili with Ancho, Mole, and Cumin image

This richly flavored chili pays homage to the Texas "bowl of red," in which meat is the star. Mole paste, ancho chile powder, and cumin add depth of flavor. Set out bowls of beans, cheese, onions, and other garnishes so that guests can have their chili just the way they like it.

Provided by Cheryl Alters Jamison

Categories     Soup/Stew     Bean     Beef     Sauté     Super Bowl     Low Cal     High Fiber     Dinner     Bacon     Winter     Simmer     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Chili:
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
4 bacon slices, chopped
1 4-pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 1/2 cups (or more) beef broth, divided
1/4 cup pure ancho chile powder*
1/4 cup Texas-style chili powder blend (such as Gebhardt)
1 tablespoon mole paste**
2 teaspoons (or more) salt
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 to 2 tablespoons masa (corn tortilla mix)***
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Garnishes:
Warm, freshly cooked or drained canned black beans or pinto beans
Chopped white, red, or green onions
Grated cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or queso fresco
Sliced fresh or pickled jalapeño chiles
Tortilla chips or oyster crackers

Steps:

  • For chili:
  • Toast cumin seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool; grind finely in spice mill or in mortar with pestle.
  • Sauté bacon in large pot over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Working in 4 batches, sauté beef in drippings in pot until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer beef and most drippings to bowl with bacon. Add onion and garlic to pot. Sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth to pot. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Return beef, bacon, and any accumulated juices to pot. Mix in ancho chile powder, Texas-style chili powder, mole paste, 2 teaspoons salt, vinegar, oregano, and cumin seeds. Add 3 cups broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to very low and simmer gently uncovered until beef is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls if chili is dry, about 2 1/2 hours. Mix in masa by teaspoonfuls to thicken chili or add more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin. Season chili with salt, pepper, and cayenne, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over low heat.
  • For garnishes:
  • Set out garnishes as desired. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.
  • *Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.
  • **Available in the Latin foods section of most supermarkets and at Latin markets.
  • ***Also known as masa harina; available at many supermarkets and at Latin markets.

Tips:

  • Toast the spices: Toasting the spices in a dry skillet before grinding them enhances their flavor and aroma.
  • Use a variety of chiles: Ancho chiles are the main ingredient in this mole, but you can also add other types of chiles, such as guajillo or pasilla, to create a more complex flavor.
  • Don't overcook the mole: Mole is a delicate sauce, so it's important to not overcook it. Simmer it over low heat for 30-45 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
  • Serve mole with your favorite Mexican dishes: Mole is traditionally served with chicken or turkey, but it can also be used with other dishes, such as enchiladas, tamales, or tacos.

Conclusion:

Ancho mole is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of Mexican dishes. With its rich, complex flavor and smoky aroma, mole is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give ancho mole a try!

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