Seriously Meatless: Mole Aproximado

Name: Seriously Meatless: Mole Aproximado
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 8 dried ancho chiles or a mixture of ancho and pasilla; 0 teaspoons black pepper; 2 slices bread, toasted and cubed; 0 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 pinch cloves; 4 cloves garlic; 1 small onion, diced; 59 milliliters fresh squeezed orange juice (bitter orange if you happen to have it); 1 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried); 4 servings Salt; 1 Tbsp sugar; 1 large tomato, cored and halved; 1 Tbsp heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 Tbsps vegetable oil

You can never have too many side dish recipes, so give Seriously Meatless: Mole Aproximado a try. This recipe covers 29% of your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. One serving contains 372 calories, 10g of protein, and 12g of fat. This recipe serves 4. Head to the store and pick up garlic, sugar, bread, and a few other things to make it today. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes roughly 45 minutes. It is a good option if you're following a vegan diet.

Instructions

Remove the stems, seeds and ribs from the chile peppers. You might want to wear rubber gloves for this. Cover them with boiling water and weight them so they stay underwater. Leave to soak for 30 minutes while you prepare everything else.

Ingredients you will need

Chili Pepper

Seeds

Water

Ribs

In a hot, dry skillet, cook the garlic cloves and tomato for about 5 minutes, turning a couple of times.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Garlic Cloves

Tomato

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Drain the chiles, reserving the soaking water. In a blender, combine the chiles with the garlic, tomato, bread, onion, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, sugar, salt and cocoa power, orange juice and 1/2 cup of the chile soaking water. Puree very thoroughly, adding more liquid as necessary until you have about 3 1/2 cups. Strain.

Ingredients you will need

Black Pepper

Orange Juice

Cinnamon

Oregano

Chili Pepper

Clove

Garlic

Tomato

Bread

Cocoa Powder

Onion

Sugar

Water

Salt

Equipment you will use

Blender

Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over a medium flame.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable Oil

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

Pour in the mole, and simmer for about 30 minutes, lightly covered. The sauce should darken and become more concentrated.

Ingredients you will need

Sauce

Taste and adjust the seasonings. Can you taste the various herbs and spices? The chocolate? The chiles? Is there a bit of acid and enough salt? Aim for a complex, balanced flavor. Also add a little more liquid or simmer a bit longer to get a pleasing saucy texture, like a thick tomato sauce.

Ingredients you will need

Tomato Sauce