Best Oaxacan Lamb Shanks Mole Mixiote De Borrego En Mole Coloradito Recipes

MIXIOTE DE BORREGO EN MOLE COLORADITO: LAMB SHANK IN AN OAXACAN RED MOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the mole sauce: In a blender or food processor, blend tomatoes and garlic cloves, adding water if necessary. Strain and set aside. In a spice grinder pulverize the sesame seeds, peppercorns, oregano and cinnamon; set aside.
• Make a lengthwise cut on 1 side of each ancho and guajillo chile and remove seeds. Put chiles in a bowl and cover with boiling water, letting soak for 20 minutes or until soft. Place chiles and soaking water in a blender. Puree, strain and set aside. In a medium stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the dried spices stirring continuously. Add the two purees and bring to a boil. Add the chocolate, sugar, and salt to taste; let simmer for about 20 minutes.
• To prepare the lamb shanks: Season the lamb shanks with salt and in a hot skillet sear shanks in oil on all sides. In a bowl, dip each shank in mole sauce, sprinkle with some of the vinegar, chopped onion and salt, then wrap in a banana leaf and then in aluminum foil. Place shanks in a roasting pan and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the meat is falling off the bone. Place shank on a plate and top with additional warm mole sauce.

LAMB MIXIOTE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the lamb with 2 teaspoons salt on both sides and transfer to a nonreactive bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Set aside at room temperature while you prepare the adobo.
• Set a dry skillet or comal over medium heat. Add the guajillos, allspice, garlic, anchos, moritas, cloves and cinnamon and toast until the chiles are dark in spots and the spices are fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic.
• Add the toasted chiles to a small saucepan with enough water to cover them by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, pressing on the chiles to submerge them. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand until the chiles are fully softened and pulpy, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chiles to a blender (discard the soaking water). Add the reserved toasted spices and peeled garlic, broth, vinegar, oregano, thyme, onion and 2 teaspoons salt. Puree until completely smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup adobo in a container and refrigerate. Pour the rest of the adobo all over the lamb until completely coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and marinate, refrigerated, for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to cook, lay out six 12-by-16-inch parchment rectangles. Place a piece of lamb on each and top with a spoonful of reserved adobo and 1 avocado leaf (or 1 bay leaf and 1 mint sprig). Carefully fold each corner of one of the parchment rectangles towards the center, tie it tightly with twine and trim any excess parchment. Repeat with the remaining parchment rectangles.
• Set up a steamer pot with water in the bottom and a steamer basket above the water level and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling and steam is coming out, place the lamb packets in the steamer basket in a single layer. Cover tightly, lower the heat to medium and steam, checking occasionally to make sure there's enough water in the bottom, until the lamb is tender and nearly falling apart, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Serve the packets directly on a plate with sliced limes, a side of rice pilaf and warm tortillas.

ENMOLADAS (LAMB ENCHILADAS WITH MOLE SAUCE)

Steps:

• For the braised lamb: Combine the lamb, tomato juice, Dijon, salt, garlic, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, pepper, coriander, avocado leaves, oregano, thyme, shallots, jalapeno and enough water to cover in a large pot. Simmer on low heat, uncovered, for 3 hours.
• Remove meat and let cool, reserving liquid. Shred meat, removing as much fat and cartilage as possible.
• For the pickled shallots: Cover shallots in a bowl with water.
• Combine vinegars, cumin, garlic, oregano, salt, beet and chile in a saucepot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and strain the liquid into the bowl with the shallots. Add the beet. Refrigerate until cooled, 4 to 6 hours. Strain the liquid and discard the beet.
• For the Oaxacan red chile-chocolate mole: Char tomatoes on a grill or over an open flame until blackened and splitting.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat oil in a large pot, then add corn, garlic, celery, carrot, poblano, onion and jalapeno and saute until soft.
• Spread pumpkin seeds, pecans, sesame seeds and corn and flour tortillas on a baking sheet and bake until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Blend tomatoes, blend with toasted nuts and seeds. Add to the pot, then add the tomato juice, tomatillos, ancho chile powder, raisins, chipotle chile powder, guajillo chile powder, cumin, salt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, chocolate discs, bananas, bay leaves and 1 1/2 gallons water. Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, for 2 hours.
• Puree in a blender until smooth.
• For the tinga spice: Mix paprika, salt, granulated sugar, cumin, pepper, brown sugar, chile powders, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cayenne together in a bowl. Transfer to an airtight container.
• For the enmoladas: Place crushed peanuts in a large skillet and heat and toss until they begin to release their oils; add some tinga spice and toss to coat. Turn off heat and set aside.
• Put several inches of oil into a Dutch oven and heat up until hot. Dip enchilada shells into the oil with tongs until pliable, 5 to 8 seconds. Place on a large rimmed plate. Place 2 ounces warmed shredded lamb (including any jus) on each shell. Using your fingers, roll each shell. Ladle Oaxacan mole sauce over entire plate-enmoladas are about the sauce!
• Garnish the enchiladas with Cotija, spiced crushed peanuts and 2 ounces pickled shallots. (Save remaining meat, shallots, mole and tinga for another use.)

OAXACAN RED MOLE SAUCE (MOLE COLORADITO)

Steps:

• Chicken:.
• Cook the chicken in 4 cups of water, with garlic, onion and salt on medium heat for 45 minutes. Check to make sure that the chicken is cooked through.
• Mole sauce:.
• Wash the chiles with a damp cloth, remove the stems of the chiles, slit open with a knife and remove the seeds and veins. Toast the chiles on both sides in large frying pan over high heat, making sure that they do not burn.
• Soak the chiles in boiling water to soften them for about 10 minute Meanwhile, fry the almonds in 3 tbls. of the shortening on medium heat for 5 min., or until they are a golden color.
• Take them out and set aside.
• Next fry the raisins until they puff up and the skin browns a bit, then remove and strain in a sieve. Turn the heat down a bit, and fry the sesame seeds in the same oil, adding a little salt to prevent them from jumping from pan.
• Once golden, remove and store on an absorbent paper towel. Still in the same oil, fry the slices of bread, until they are golden. Remove and put on an absorbent paper towel. On a dry pan or skittle roast the garlic, onion and tomato until they are nicely toasted with black spots.
• In a blender, grind the chiles with a half cup of water, and add more water as necessary to blend. Once the mixture is smooth, pour into a saucepan and fry with one tbsp of the shortening for 10 minute on medium heat. Stirring occasionally to ensure that it does not stick to the pan.
• Next, blend both the roasted and fried ingredients together, until smooth. Blend the tomatoes and strain through a colander and add into the chile mixture. Now add the cinnamon sick, thyme, marjoram(if using) and the oregano. Cook for 5 more minutes. Add the chicken broth, salt, sugar and chocolate on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove cinnamon stick. Cool for 15 minutes. Pour the chicken in a serving dish, serve with rice.

COLORADITO (RED OAXACAN MOLE)

Steps:

• Put the chicken into a pan with the onion, garlic, and herbs; cover with water and add salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and continue simmering until the chicken is just tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the stems, if any, from the chiles, slit them open, and remove veins and seeds.
• Toast the chiles on a hot comale for a few seconds on each side, pressing them down until the inside flesh turns an opaque, tobacco color. Rinse the chiles in cold water, cover with hot water, and set aside to soak for about 15 minutes.
• Put the tomatoes into a blender jar and blend briefly. Heat 1 tablespoon of the lard and fry the sesame seeds for a few seconds until a deep golden brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon, draining them as much as possible, to the blender jar; add the oregano, cloves and allspice and blend until smooth, adding a little more of the water in which the chiles were soaking if necessary.
• Add more lard to the pan and heat; add the onion and garlic and fry until translucent.
• Add the cinnamon pieces and fry until the onions and garlic are lightly browned.
• Transfer with a slotted spoon to the blender jar. Add the plantain and bread to the pan and fry over low heat until a deep golden color; transfer to the blender jar. Adding more chile water if necessary, blend until you have a smooth puree. Gradually add the soaked chiles with more water as necessary and blend until smooth. When all the chiles have been blended, dip a spoon into the bottom of the blender jar and take out a sample of the sauce to see if the rather tough chile skins have been blended sufficiently. If not, add a little more water, stir well, and then blend for a few seconds more.
• Heat the remaining lard in a heavy pan or saute pan, add the blended sauce and chocolate, and cook over medium heat, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking, for about 15 minutes. Add 2 cups of the chicken broth and the chicken pieces, taste for salt, and cook for 15 minutes more. The sauce should be fairly thick and lightly cover the back of a wooden spoon.
• Serve with white rice and tortillas.

MOLE COLORADITO WITH ROASTED FALL SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Toast ancho, guajillo, prunes and raisins on a rimmed baking sheet until browned in spots (but not charred!) and very fragrant, nutty and spicy, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly and transfer to a food processor. Toast almonds, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peppercorn, oregano, cinnamon, clove, bay leaves and avocado leaves until nuts are lightly browned and spices are very fragrant, 8-10 minutes. Let cool slightly and transfer to food processor with chile mixture. Purée until finely ground but not paste-like. Bring chile purée, stock and lard to a boil in a large heavy pot, reduce to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, increase oven to 450°. Roast tomatoes, garlic, plantain and onion on a rimmed sheet tray until softened and browned in spots (vegetables should still hold their shape), 25-35 minutes. Let cool slightly and transfer to a medium bowl. Cut the top off the garlic, exposing the cloves inside. Squeeze out roasted garlic cloves into tomato mixture. Scrape into simmering chile mixture, cover and simmer over low heat for another hour, mixture will be very fragrant and slightly reduced. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate and let cool 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a blender, working in batches if necessary, and purée until very smooth and thick; season with salt.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 450°. Divide squash among two large rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with oil; season with salt. Roast, tossing occasionally, until squashes are golden brown and tender, 30-35 minutes for kabocha and butternut and 20-25 minutes for delicata and honey nut. Let cool slightly.
• Ladle mole onto a large serving platter, top with roasted squash, crushed chile de arbol, sliced radish, parsley leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds and sliced white onion.
• Do ahead: mole can be made 3 days ahead, cover and chill.

MOLE COLORADITO

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Toast the ancho, guajillo, cascabel, avocado leaves, bay leaf, canela, clove, oregano, cumin, coriander and peppercorns on a rimmed baking sheet until browned in spots (but not charred!) and very fragrant, nutty and spicy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl.
• Toast the raisins, prunes, almonds, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds on the same baking sheet until the nuts are lightly browned and the fruit are puffed and lightly toasted but not burnt, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the toasted chiles.
• Meanwhile, heat the schmaltz in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the plantains and cook until deep golden brown and caramelized on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Add the garlic, onions and 4 teaspoons salt to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the reserved chile mixture, the plantains, and the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the chiles are very tender and fragrant, about 30 minutes. Discard the avocado leaves, bay leaf and canela (if you can find them). Remove the pot from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, transfer the stewed chiles to a blender and puree until very smooth and thick. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with the remaining stewed chiles.
• Wipe the pot clean, transfer the mole to the pot and bring to simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to prevent from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Simmer until the mole is the consistency of a smooth, thick tomato sauce, 5 to 10 minutes, adding water or additional stock if the sauce is too thick. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Season with salt. Remove from the heat. Serve over roasted turkey or roasted chicken. Top with toasted sesame seeds.

MOLE COLORADITO OAXACA

Steps:

• For mole paste: Cut chiles open vertically, remove stems, seeds.
• On hot, ungreased griddle or heavy skillet, toast chiles on both sides, flattening with spatula, until skins blister and colors change.
• Put chiles in bowl.
• Add raisins.
• Cover with hot water; soak for 30 minutes and up to a few hours, until soft.
• Drain chiles, raisins then puree in blender with water as necessary.
• Strain through coarse sieve into large pot, pressing with large spoon adding more water as necessary.
• Add chocolate, bring to simmer.
• Toast then peel garlic and onion quarters.
• Put in blender.
• Toast almonds.
• Put in blender with onion and garlic.
• Add canela, salt, pepper, thyme and oregano.
• Puree, adding water as necessary.
• Strain into chile-chocolate mixture, pressing down with large spoon, adding more water as necessary.
• Cook, stirring, 15 minutes to thicken mole paste.
• Paste may be cooled and refrigerated for six months or frozen in airtight containers.
• To make sauce from paste: Toast and peel tomatoes.
• Puree and strain into paste.
• Pour in broth.
• Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Sauce should be as thick as heavy cream.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Serve over chicken or turkey pieces sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
• Sauce may be refrigerated for up to three days.