Mexican Style Tempura With A Chili Chocolate Sauce Recipes

MOLE SAUCE, MY STYLE: MOLE SANCHEZ

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Begin by placing all the dry chiles on sheet tray and toasting them in hot oven for 2 minutes until they start to let off an aroma, remove quickly and submerge them in bowl with hot water. Set aside.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Place the onions, tomatoes, tomatillos, and garlic on sheet tray and allow until roast and allow to char in a salamander or broiler and the vegetables have roasted for about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine the prunes, apricots, and raisins with the red wine and allow to cook for 10 minutes or until the fruit has absorbed all the wine and set aside.
• In hot pan, toast all the spices, turning quickly as not to burn them. As soon as you see them smoking, remove, grind in a spice grinder, and set aside.
• To start assembling the mole combine the chiles, roasted vegetables, red wine-soaked dry fruit and the spices in large heavy bottom pot. And add the chicken stock and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile peel the plantains and slice into 1-inch thick slices. In a saute pan with 3 inches of oil, fry the plantains until golden and add to the pot as well as chocolate and tortillas cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and puree the sauce until smooth. Serve with chicken, beef, or lamb.

GROUND BEEF CHILI WITH CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add chiles, cocoa powder and spices, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add ground meat and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and their juices, beer and stock to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the temperature to a simmer, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the flavors meld a bit.
• Reduce heat to low (if not already there), then stir in the beans, chocolate and peanut butter until beans are warmed through and chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and serve with tortilla chips, cheese, avocado or whatever toppings you desire.

NEW MEXICAN-STYLE SOFT TACOS WITH HACKED CHICKEN AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and ancho chile powder. Sear, skin-side down, in the oil until golden brown. Turn over and brown on the other side. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Add the onion to the pan and cook until lightly golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the chicken back to the pot, add the chiles, stock, and cilantro, and bring to a boil. Cover and roast in the oven until the chicken easily falls away from the bone, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and strain the cooking liquid into a bowl.
• When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove bones and cut or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Place the reserved cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the shredded chicken, turn off the heat and let warm.
• Divide the warm chicken among the warm tortillas, top with Salsa Verde and chopped cilantro.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and jalapeno and cook until soft. Add the tomatillos and cook until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the lime juice, honey, and cilantro, and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

MEXICAN STYLE TEMPURA WITH A CHILI CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and preheat 6 ounces canola oil to 400 degrees F.
• For the tempura: In a small mixing bowl, add 1 cup flour, cornstarch, Sabor Italia, egg white and enough water to have a pancake-like consistency. Mix until thoroughly combined.
• Thread chicken slices onto wooden skewers. Season, to taste, with Sabor Italia. Dredge the skewers into 1/2 cup flour and then into prepared batter. Place skewers immediately into preheated oil and fry until golden brown. Place onto a baking sheet and finish in the oven, about 5 minutes. Do the same for the shrimp.
• For the sauce: In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, saute the poblano, onions and a pinch of Sabor Italia. Add the red wine and chocolate and stir until combine. Add the chili powder and remaining Sabor Italia and stir until thickened. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro leaves.
• Place skewers on a platter and top with sauce.
• For the Sabor Italia: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months

CHOCOLATE CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate, cream, butter and chili pepper in a heavy sauce pan.
• Cook over very low heat until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Serve warm or cold.
• Can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks and gently reheated.