Red mole

Mole (pronounced mo-lay, and meaning sauce) is the unique culinary symbol of Mexico. It comes in various colours and flavours and is often spiced with exotic chillies, chocolate, nuts, fruits and spices. Mole originates from two main areas of Mexico – Oaxaca and Puebla. I am a big mole fan. It may seem like a daunting sauce because of the unusual ingredients, but it’s really a one-pot dish. Once you’ve mastered the sauce you can use it for a myriad of dishes, simple or complicated. This mole has a more complex and deeper flavour than the quick red mole, which follows. The main difference is the inclusion of the mulato, ancho and pasilla chillies, known as the ‘holy trinity’ by passionate Mexican cooks. The dried chillies are important to the authentic flavours of Mexican food.