Mole Paste

Wash the dried chiles under cold running water (hot water will increase the chile fumes). Shake out the chile seeds and break off the stems. Heat a comal or griddle or even a nonstick skillet and toast the chiles in batches. The chiles should soften and slightly brown. Do not blacken them, or they will become bitter.. When they are all toasted, place them in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave them to steep for 30 minutes. Add the raisins to the hot water so they will plump up. While the chiles are soaking, place the almonds, the sesame seeds and the pumpkin seeds all in separate pie tins. Toast them in a 350 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes. Watch carefully. Remove them as they begin to turn golden brown. At the same time, place the French bread and the corn tortilla to toast in the oven. Break up the cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns in a mortar or pound with a heavy skillet (a spice grinder will work too). Grind the chiles almonds, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds in a blender in at least three separate batches. Add some soaking water for the desired consistency of thick gravy (if soaking water tastes bitter, use plain water instead), so that the mole paste will puree smoothly. When grinding the last batch, add the raisins, crushed spices, tortilla, bread, oregano and chocolate, broken into small pieces. Makes about 1 quart of mole paste or enough for 2 recipes of Mole Sauce MOLE SAUCE 3 large tomatoes 1/2 onion 4 cloves garlic 2 t olive oil 2 cups (1/2 recipe) Mole Paste 1 to 2 cups chicken broth for thinning Place tomatoes in a small pan and roast in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Wrap the onion and garlic up in aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and roast for 45 minutes in the 375 degree oven. Place tomatoes, their juices, onion and garlic in a blender and puree. Add the puree to the Mole paste along with 1 cup of chicken broth. Bring to a simmer in a 3-quart pot. If the Mole seems too thick, add more broth in small amounts until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Makes about 6 cups.