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Ancho Mole

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 4 cups

Ingredients

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

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    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.

    Step 2

    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.)