Rustic Mexican Red Mole (Mole de Rancho)
Hearty countryside red mole made with comal-toasted ancho and pasilla chiles, toasted sesame seeds, Mexican table chocolate, and tender simmered chicken.
Sauce coats wooden spoon with shiny red oil pearls on surface.
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Step-by-Step Video Guide & Creator Variants
Cocinanding Guide vs. Creator Video: Related Video — Unconfirmed Comparison (De Mi Rancho a Tu Cocina (Doña Ángela)): This public video is provided as a visual reference for the dish. Exact ratios, timings (30m prep / 60m cook), and US grocery suggestions on this page are independently standardized by Cocinanding.
Rustic Mexican Red Mole (Mole de Rancho)
De Mi Rancho a Tu Cocina (Doña Ángela)
Public YouTube video embedded as a visual technique reference. The written recipe guide, verified timings, and US grocery brand picks are independently authored by Cocinanding (not a commercial partnership).
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Related stuffed poblano chiles & michoacán enchiladas video (Mexican) by De Mi Rancho a Tu Cocina (Doña Ángela) exploring a complementary approach within the same dish family.
What to Buy & Brand Guide
Editorial US Grocery Suggestions • Zero Paid Placements
Nestlé Abuelita Chocolate
Standard Size: 6-disc boxWhy it matters: Cinnamon sugar blend essential for balance.
Where to find in US: Hispanic section.
Acceptable substitutes: Ibarra.
Why This Recipe Works
💡 Gentle Toasting
Lightly heating chiles on cast iron activates essential aromatic oils.
Ingredients for 6 ServingsUS Standard Measurements
- 3 lbs Bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks, cooked
- 5 cups Warm chicken broth (reserved from simmering chicken)
- 5 whole Dried Ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded⭐ Recommended: El Guapo
- 4 whole Dried Pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 3 whole Roma tomatoes, comal-roasted
- 3 whole Medium tomatillos, husked and roasted
- 0.5 whole Medium white onion, charred on comal
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, roasted
- 0.25 cup Raw peanuts or blanched almonds
- 2 tbsp Dark raisins
- 0.5 cup White sesame seeds, toasted (divided for sauce and garnish)
- 1 disc (3 oz) Mexican table chocolate disc⭐ Recommended: Abuelita
- 1 stick Mexican Ceylon cinnamon stick
- 3 whole Whole cloves
- 0.5 tsp Ground cumin
- 3 tbsp Rendered pork lard or neutral oil
- 1.5 tsp Kosher salt
Required Kitchen Tools
- ✓Heavy Dutch oven
- ✓Cast-iron comal
- ✓Blender
Step-by-Step Preparation
Toast Chiles & Roast Aromatics
Toast 5 ancho and 4 pasilla chiles for 30 seconds per side on a hot comal without scorching, then soak in 2 cups of the warm chicken broth. On the same comal, char 3 Roma tomatoes, 3 tomatillos, 0.5 white onion, and 4 garlic cloves.
Toast Seeds, Nuts & Spices
Toast 0.5 cup sesame seeds (reserving 2 tbsp for garnish), 0.25 cup peanuts/almonds, 2 tbsp raisins, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, and 0.5 tsp cumin until golden and fragrant.
Puree and Fry Paste
Blend the rehydrated chiles, roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, onion, garlic, toasted seeds/nuts/spices, and remaining 3 cups chicken broth until velvety smooth. Fry the strained mole in 3 tbsp hot pork lard in a heavy clay cazuela or Dutch oven for 15 minutes.
Melt Chocolate & Simmer Chicken
Stir in 1 disc Mexican chocolate and 1.5 tsp kosher salt until melted, add the 3 lbs cooked chicken pieces, and simmer 20 minutes until chicken reaches ≥165°F–185°F (74°C–85°C). Garnish with reserved toasted sesame seeds.
Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting
Avoid the mistakes that ruin this recipe
⚠️ Problem: Bitter taste
Underlying Cause: Scorched chiles.
Fix & Solution: Add 1/2 disc extra chocolate and brown sugar.
Frequently Asked Culinary Questions
Specific ingredient, technique, and US grocery answers for Rustic Mexican Red Mole (Mole de Rancho)
❓ Which brand of table chocolate should I look for in US grocery stores for Rustic Mexican Red Mole (Mole de Rancho)?
Editorial suggestion: Nestlé Abuelita Chocolate (Nestlé). Cinnamon sugar blend essential for balance. Typical aisle: Hispanic section. Acceptable substitute: Ibarra.
❓ How do I fix: "Bitter taste"?
Common cause: Scorched chiles. Practical fix: Add 1/2 disc extra chocolate and brown sugar.
The Warmth of Mexican Hearth Cooking
Doña Ángela’s ranch mole proves that incredible mole doesn’t require 40 ingredients—just proper toasting technique, patience, and authentic dried chiles.
Visual Kitchen Infoguide (Print or Save to Phone)
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