Title: Mole Pablano
Categories: Sauce
Yield: 10 Servings

ROASTED CHILIES
1/2	lb	Mulato chilies,dried
1/4	lb	Ancho chilies,dried
2	oz	Pasilla chilies,dried
1		Chipotle chili,dried
ROASTED VEGETABLES
2		Onions,large,quartered
1		Tomato,medium-size
1/2	lb	Tomatillos,husked/rinsed
1		Garlic head,medium*
2		Corn tortillas (7")
SEASONINGS & THICKENERS
1/2	c	Sesame seed
2	tb	Salad oil
1		Plantain,sm,peeled/chopped
1/2	c	Dry-roasted almonds
1/2	c	Peanuts
1/2	c	Prunes,pitted,chopped
1/3	c	Raisins
2		Cinnamon sticks,2" long
1	ts	Coriander seed
1	ts	Anise seed
ASSEMBLING THE MOLE
2	c	Chicken broth,reg strength
4	oz	Mexican chocolate**

* - cut in half horizontally

** - or 4 oz. semisweet chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

***ROASTING THE CHILIES ***

1. Lay dried mulato, ancho, pasilla, and chipotle chilies in a single layer in 10x15" pans. Bake in a 300'F. oven until chilies smell lightly toasted and are flexible, 5-8 minutes. While they are still warm, discard stems and shake out seeds.

2. Rinse chilies and put in a large bowl; add 8 cups boiling water. Let stand until soft, 20-30 minutes. Drain; save liquid. Smoothly puree chilies, a portion at a time, in food processor or blender. Add a total 2 cups reserved liquid. (In processor, use a little liquid to get mixture moving; add rest when pureed.) Rub firmly through fine strainer into a bowl; discard residue. Use, or chill airtight up to 1 day.

*** ROASTING THE VEGETABLES ***

1. In a 10x15" pan, combine onions, tomato, tomatillos, garlic (cut side down), and tortillas. Bake in a 450'F. oven, turning occasionally, until the vegetables and tortillas have dark brown spots or edges. Let cool. Pull off vegetable skins and discard.

2. Smoothly puree mixture in a food processor or blender; add a total of 1 cup reserved chili-soaking liquid, from step 1. (In processor, use a little liquid to get mixture moving; add rest when pureed.) Rub firmly through fine strainer into a bowl; discard residue. Use, or chill airtight up to 1 day.

*** COOKING THE SEASONINGS AND THICKENERS ***

1. In a 10x12" frying pan over medium heat, stir sesame seed until toasted, about 4 minutes; set aside.

2. To pan, add oil, plantain, almonds, peanuts, prunes, raisins, cinnamon, coriander, and anise. Stir often over medium heat until mixture is richly browned, 10-15 minutes. Smoothly puree mixture and sesame seed in a food processor or blender. Add remaining chili-soaking liquid, from step 1. (In processor, use a little to get moving; add rest when pureed.) Use, or chill airtight up to 1 day.

*** ASSEMBLING THE MOLE ***

1. In a 5-6 quart pan, mix chilies, vegetables, seasonings and thickeners, and broth. Bring to a simmer on medium heat; cover and simmer to blend flavors, about 2 hours, stirring often.

2. Chop chocolate; mix with sauce until melted. Use mole as suggested, following; or chill airtight up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.

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