El Molcajete Sauces

Oaxaca has over 200 known preparations of mole, a complicated sauce based on one or more chili peppers and over 25-30 different ingredients. However, seven are the most notable, giving the state the nickname “land of the seven moles". Oaxacan moles require multiple ingredients and long cooking time, and for this reason are traditionally served only for special occasions. Ingredients for moles were traditionally prepared and ground on a metate; however today, they are usually made with the help of blenders and food mills, which grind and mix many of the ingredients. Depending on the ingredients, they are toasted or fried then mixed with others to make a sauce that is then slowly simmered. Recipes vary from cook to cook and state to state. While chocolate is used in two of the seven moles, it is not the most important ingredient. Blending all the ingredients together is what makes the different moles sing. Traditionally, moles are served with chicken, pork beef and roasted vegetables; however, the sauce is most important part of the main dish you are cooking.