Three Chile Mole #Sponsored

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Selefina spices.

Complimentary product was provided for this post and this page may contain affiliate links.

However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Years ago I attended two mole-making classes at a local shop. And, while I am grateful to know how to make mole, I don't do it that often. But when a contact from Selefina* asked me if I would like to sample their new line, I looked through the website and decided to give it a whirl with their products.

Selefina is new venture from the people behind Adagio Teas. They have used their experience in global sourcing and making connections to find high quality spices and seasonings. And by purchasing in bulk and using their own brand for labels, costs are kept lower for the consumer. It's a win-win and, from what I've tried, the products are amazing. Stay tuned for more posts, but this recipe uses several of their items, including three different dried chiles, hence the title.

Three Chile Mole

Mole. Apparently, it just means sauce - a sauce made with chiles. And Cesario Ruiz of My Mom's Mole who taught me likened it to curry. "It's a like a Mexican curry. You know, every cook has a different way of making it and each curry tastes different," Ruiz said. "And you can taste the time, love, and passion in each one."

This definitely takes time and I have tried to streamline the process by grouping them as they are prepared. Then they all come together in the end.

Ingredients
makes 6 to 8 cup of mole so you'll have lots and lots of leftovers for other dishes

Group 1

• 7 to 8 pounds of pork, cut into large chunks
• water
• 1 carrot, chopped into large pieces
• 1 onion, peeled and cut into large pieces
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 8 peppercorns (Selefina's Pink Peppercorns)

Group 2

• 8 dried peppers (Selefina's Guajillo Chile Pepper, Ancho Chile Pepper, and Chipotle Chile Pepper)
  

Group 3

• 3 ounces raw almonds
• 2 ounces raw pumpkin seeds
• 8 Tablespoons raw sesame seeds
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic

Group 4

• 4 cloves (Selefina's Whole Cloves)
• 1 Tablespoon cumin seeds (Selefina's Cumin Seeds) 
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into small pieces (Selefina's Cinnamon Stick)
• 1 star anise, broke into small pieces (Selefina's Star Anise)
• 1 Tablespoon pepper seeds, reserved from Group 2 chiles
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 Tablespoons raisins

Group 5

• 3 small corn tortillas
• 1 piece bread
• 3 fresh tomatillos

Group 6

• salt, as needed
• lard, as needed (don't be shy!)
• 2 Tablespoons cacao powder (Selefina's Cacao Powder)

Procedure

Group 1
Fill a large stockpot with water and bring it to a simmer. In a large, flat-bottom pan or skillet melt lard. Sear the pork pieces on all sides and carefully drop them into the water.

Heat the pan with another bit of lard. Cook the onions and carrots until they have a nice, golden color. Stir in the garlic and peppercorns. Sauté for a few more minutes and add them to the pork stock. Once the stock has boiled for at least 30 minutes, taste and add salt as needed.

Group 2

Using gloves, clean the peppers by removing the stems and seeds. Save the seeds as they will be used later.

Melt more lard in the skillet and sauté the peppers. They are delicate and you just need them warmed in the lard. Place the cooked peppers in a jar and pour in enough pork stock to cover the peppers. Every 15 minutes or so, turn the peppers in the stock, making sure they stay submerged.

Group 3

Melt 1 Tablespoon lard in a skillet and toast the nuts, toasting each type individually. When they are all golden brown, place them in the bowl. Toast the sesame seeds until they begin to pop. Place those in the bowl with the nuts, too.

Group 4
Melt 1 Tablespoon lard in the skillet and toast the spices. I started with the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, chili pepper seeds, cumin seeds, and ended with the oregano and the raisins. Once toasted, place them in the bowl with the nuts and seeds.

Group 5

Toast the tortillas and bread in the skillet and set aside. Peel and rinse the tomatillos.

In a large blender or food processor, combine all of the ingredients from groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 into one large bowl - the peppers, the nuts, the spices, the tomatillos, the bread, and the tortillas.

Adding in stock, as needed, purée everything until the consistency you want. Make sure to grab some of the onions and carrots from the stock for added flavor.

In a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, pour in the purée. Bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cacao powder. Adjust seasoning as needed with more salt, if needed.

To serve, remove the pork pieces from the stock and place in a mixing bowl. Toss with as much mole as you want. Reserve the rest of the mole for future dishes. Serve over steamed rice.

And stay tuned for more recipes using the Selefina spice line. I have some color-changing lemonade planned along with a crystallized ginger shortbread. I can't wait to share them with you1!

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*Disclosure: I receive compensation in the form of complimentary products for recipe development 

and generating social media traction. All opinions are my own.