Dona Maria Mole Recipe: Easy and Delicious Guide

When I think of authentic Mexican cuisine, Doña Maria Mole is one of the first recipes that come to mind. This rich and flavorful sauce made from chilies, chocolate, spices, and peanut butter is a staple in many households.

You can create a delicious and traditional mole sauce in less than an hour using a ready-made mole paste. This means you get all the complex flavors without spending all day in the kitchen.

In my recipe, I love combining the Doña Maria Mole paste with chicken broth to achieve the perfect consistency. The addition of peanut butter adds a creamy texture that complements the spices wonderfully.

Whether you’re new to cooking mole or a seasoned pro, this simplified version will not disappoint.

Ready to bring a taste of Mexico into your home? Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps needed to make this delicious dish. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to prepare a meal that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.

Key Takeaways

• Easy recipe with authentic flavors.
• Simple ingredients including Doña Maria Mole paste and peanut butter.
• Quick preparation and cooking steps.

Ingredients and Measurements

When making Doña Maria Mole, it’s important to have all your ingredients measured and ready. From the main ingredients like chicken to the spices and additional flavorings, here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need.

Main Ingredients

For the main ingredients, you’ll need chicken, ready-to-use mole paste, and chicken broth. The chicken should be cut into pieces and cooked until tender. You can use about 1-2 pounds of chicken.

Next, the Doña Maria Mole paste is crucial; typically one jar is enough. To thin the paste, use 1-2 cups of chicken broth. This will help create the perfect texture for your mole sauce.

Spices and Seasonings

The spices are what give the mole sauce its rich, complex flavor. Start with garlic and onion, finely chopped for sautéing.

Add in salt and pepper to taste. For the main spice mix, you’ll need cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and anise. About 1 teaspoon each of cumin and cinnamon, and a pinch of cloves and anise should be enough.

Lastly, don’t forget the chili peppers. These will add the necessary heat to the sauce. Dried ancho or pasilla chilies work well.

Additional Flavorings

For additional flavorings, you’ll want chocolate to balance the spiciness. Use about 2 ounces of Mexican chocolate. Sugar can also be added if you prefer a sweeter mole.

Peanut butter or crushed nuts such as almonds or peanuts can add a creamy texture. Use about 2 tablespoons. Sesame seeds are another popular addition; toast them lightly before adding. Finally, some people like to add raisins for a touch of natural sweetness and chewy texture.

Preparation and Cooking Steps

To make Doña Maria Mole, you will need to start by creating the mole sauce, then prepare the chicken, and eventually assemble the final dish. Each step has its own importance and requires close attention to achieve an authentic flavor.

Creating the Mole

First, gather all your ingredients. You will need mole paste, olive oil, onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves.

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until softened.

Add chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves to the pan. Cook for about one minute to release the flavors into the oil.

Next, dissolve the mole paste in the mixture. Stir well to ensure it’s fully incorporated.

Gradually add water or chicken broth while stirring continuously. This will help achieve the desired consistency for your mole sauce.

Let it simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick and correctly spiced.

Preparing the Chicken

Place chicken pieces in a large stockpot. Then, add garlic, onion, celery, and parsley.

Cover the chicken with water. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 35-45 minutes.

Check to see if the chicken is cooked and tender. It should be easy to pull apart the meat with a fork.

Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Once it’s cool enough to handle, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Final Dish Assembly

Add the shredded chicken back to the saucepan containing the prepared mole sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.

Let the chicken and mole mixture simmer together for an additional 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Serve the chicken mole hot, accompanied by warm tortillas, rice, and beans to create a balanced meal.

The dish can also be garnished with fresh cilantro or sesame seeds if desired. This gives it a fresh and appealing finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

I often get questions about making and enhancing Doña Maria mole recipes. Here are some specific tips and steps to help you out.

How do I prepare a traditional mole using Dona Maria sauce?

To make a traditional mole, start by cooking chicken in a stockpot with garlic, onion, celery, and parsley. Once the chicken is cooked, add the Doña Maria mole sauce to a pan with some broth. Mix well and simmer until it thickens.

What are the steps to using Dona Maria mole sauce as a ready-to-serve dish?

You can heat the Doña Maria mole sauce with a bit of chicken broth until it reaches a smooth consistency. Once heated, you can pour it over cooked chicken or your favorite protein. Serve with rice and warm tortillas for a complete meal.

Can you suggest a good mole recipe that includes Dona Maria sauce and chicken?

Try this: Cook chicken pieces in a stockpot with garlic, onion, and celery. After the chicken is tender, sauté onion and garlic in a separate pan, add Doña Maria mole paste and chicken broth. Then return the cooked chicken to the pan and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

Is there a Dona Maria mole variation that incorporates peanut butter?

Yes! Adding peanut butter can give your mole a nice, creamy texture. While heating the Doña Maria mole sauce, stir in a spoonful of peanut butter. Mix well until the peanut butter is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.

What are the essential ingredients found in Dona Maria mole sauce?

Doña Maria mole typically includes ingredients like chili peppers, nuts, seeds, garlic, onion, and spices like cinnamon and cloves. These are blended together to create a rich and flavorful sauce.

What’s a simple way to enhance premade mole sauce for a delicious meal?

I like to boost the flavor of premade mole by adding a pinch of cinnamon and a bit of dark chocolate.

Heat the sauce with these extra ingredients until melted and blended well. This little adjustment can make a big difference in taste.