Mole de Piña, or Pineapple Mole, is a sweet and savory sauce made with a variety of ingredients, including chocolate, chiles, fruits, and spices. It is a popular mole recipe from the state of Guerrero in Mexico and is known for its unique flavor and aroma. In this article, we will share with you the best Mole de Piña recipe that you can make at home.
Ingredients:
For the mole paste:
- 2 dried ancho chiles
- 2 dried pasilla chiles
- 2 dried mulato chiles
- 1/2 cup roasted almonds
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped pineapple
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
For the Mole de Piña:
- 2 pounds chicken breast or pork loin, cut into small pieces
- 4 cups chicken or pork broth
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup piloncillo (Mexican unrefined sugar)
- 2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preparing the Mole Paste:
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the dried chiles for 1-2 minutes on each side until they become fragrant. Remove the stems and seeds, then soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes until they become soft.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked chiles, almonds, peanuts, raisins, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chopped pineapple, cinnamon, anise seeds, cumin seeds, dried oregano, ground cloves, ground allspice, ground black pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- In a skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the mole paste and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens and turns dark.
- Preparing the Mole de Piña:
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chicken or pork and brown it on all sides.
- Add the broth, brown sugar, and piloncillo. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
- Add the chopped pineapple and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until it becomes soft.
- Add the mole paste and stir until it is well combined. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors blend.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
Serve the Mole de Piña with rice, beans, tortillas, and garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped onion.
Conclusion:
Mole de Piña is a delicious and unique mole recipe that combines sweet and savory flavors. It is a perfect dish for special occasions, family gatherings, or any time you want to impress your guests with your culinary skills. Making mole from scratch can be time-consuming and requires a lot of ingredients, but the end result