I attended The Magic of Mole class yesterday morning at Las Cosas. Shawn has recently fallen in love with mole so it seemed like an opportune time for us to learn about making it.
Class description: Today we visit the wondrous Mexican town of Oaxaca and explore its most famous dish, mole. The slow simmering of chiles, spices, nuts and other ingredients creates a sauce that is almost magical in its depth of flavor! We will create a complete menu of Mexican goodies including: Sopa de Tortilla, Great Guacamole, Salsa Verde 2-Ways, Mole Negro, Mole Coloradito, Green Rice and for dessert, Tres Leches Cake. (Hands-On)
Per usual the menu items are split up among class members. Shawn and I worked on the green rice that would accompany the chicken with mole.
Green Rice
The rice was basically made in one pan, but there was a part that required a blender.
The ingredient tray – rice, oil, salt, cilantro, chicken broth, vegetable broth. I believe we had both parsley and cilantro, but it is hard for me to tell the difference between those without smelling them.
Chopping up the poblano peppers.
Chopping up the cilantro (or parsley). Shawn chopped one and I chopped the other.
We added some garlic and onion.
Poblano chiles, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro and broth are put into the blender.
The blender is expending almost no effort to puree this.
And the puree is complete.
Toasting the rice in oil.
Added the puree.
Added the remaining broth.
After simmering uncovered, simmering covered, and letting sit covered, the rice is finally ready.
The Other Menu Items
Sopa de Tortilla – Tomatoes, chicken stock, dried red chiles, garlic, cilantro, corn tortillas, vegetable oil, avocado, and queso fresco.
Great Guacamole – Hass avocados, lime juice, kosher salt, garlic, Roma tomato, onion, jalapeño, scallions, and cilantro.
Tomatillo Salsa – Tomatillos, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, jalapeño, and habanero sauce.
Mole Coloradito – Roma tomatoes, garlic, ancho chiles, pasilla chiles, vegetable oil, day-old bread, blanched almonds, sesame seeds, cloves, peppercorns, Mexican oregano, cinnamon, sugar, and vegetable stock.
Mole Verde – pepitas, tomatillos, chicken stock, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, Mexican oregano, romaine lettuce, garlic, olive oil, and kosher salt.
Tres Leches Cake – flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, sugar, vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, orange liquor, and confectioners sugar.
If Only This Were Springfield 