Whats the story with mole sauce?

Question

So I picked up some at the grocery store. It is advertised like a condiment...

Do you use it like mayonaise or more like nacho cheese? Is it a dip or a sauce? What is it exactly? It doesn't smell or taste like anything recognizable to me.

Does anybody have any advice on how I should try it? Any recipes would be welcomed!

Thanks much in advance,

Ahhhh this should be in general discussion... My bad. Can an admin kindly move this? I keep forgetting about the different sections. - steric, Aug 26, 2011

Hi steric! I moved it for you. :) - 0066c384, Aug 26, 2011

Thanks much dogwood! - steric, Aug 26, 2011

De nada, amigo :) - 0066c384, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 1

Steric, the mole sauces I've seen are a blend of chocolate and other spices or herbs. It can refer to several different blends. Here's a link to a recipe description.

mole sauce

Yep mine has chocolate and crackers and hot peppers listed in the ingredients. Among other stuff. Thanks much. - steric, Aug 26, 2011

That was a great article. - steric, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 2

I am in no way an expert on Mexican food but:

In reference to the normal brown mole sauce- that has bittersweet chocolate and pumpkin seeds and at minimum 20 other ingredients.

I have always been served it either as a sauce directly on poultry (I have had it on chicken, turkey, and duck)- typically still on the bone, roasted in the oven and presumably finished or added very late (sort of how you might do a barbecue or other sauce to get it a bit thickened on it but not burnt), or as a sauce on top of enchiladas (in place of a red or a green sauce, again always poultry)- keeping in mind that enchiladas in Mexico are not the same as in the US- but I believe I have had it that way both places.

When I have used it, in my refusal to cook the way you are supposed to, I have actually taken my chicken (without bones and chopped) and boiled it until it shreds and much of the water is gone, then added the sauce and cooked it down until sufficiently thickened and used that to stuff enchiladas. I have N E V E R been served it that way, so I am sure that will make someone cringe.

I cannot picture using it as a condiment, it would seem very odd to me to do that.

Can I come to your house? I'll eat your enchiladas anyday. I actually thought that was what you were supposed to do with mole, put it on enchiladas. - amykay, Aug 26, 2011

What I do is put it in, I have always been served it on- ie mine is incorporated in the filling, not solely as a sauce on the outside. - Stadt, Aug 26, 2011

Very helpful. Thanks much! - steric, Aug 26, 2011

I'v only ever had mole on top of chicken tortilla pie but you're enchiladas do sound delicious - Melissa326, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 3

There are lots of kinds of mole sauce. They are served hot and poured over things, used to cook things in, or as an ingredient in some foods.

Hmmm I didn't know there were several kinds. I just looked at the ingrediants and it is made out of some really strange stuff. - steric, Aug 26, 2011

I think Lorenzo is correct. The sauce contains other ingredients outside Mexico. :) - 0066c384, Aug 26, 2011

Even in Mexico, there are a dozen or more varieties of mole. - lorenzo9, Aug 26, 2011

Lorenzo is correct, even in Oregon I can go into the local grocery store and have several options to include fully green ones. - Stadt, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 4

I know "mole" is pronounced in Spanish, but I keep wanting to read it as sauce for this cute critter:

or perhaps an ointment for:

I know some people who think those creatures are cute, it looks like his head is missing. - amykay, Aug 26, 2011

agreed. - steric, Aug 26, 2011

;)) Thanks for this adorable post, Gintar! - territurtle, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 5

I'd like to know the answer to this, also. I bought some and thought I could put it on fajitas. It wasn't very good that way. It's been in my fridge ever since then. It'd be nice to hear what some natives do with this sauce.

This is the exact same state I am in now haha. - steric, Aug 26, 2011