Outside of Mexico, most people think Mexican cuisine is composed only of tacos, burritos, guacamole and tortillas. That's forgetting how big the country (the United States of Mexico) really is, and its history rich of several ancient and powerful civilizations with their own culture and customs; not even mentioning the very specific blend that happened later on under years of Spanish occupation.
It's time to set the record straight for foreigners: there are many many specialties in Mexico, different from a region to another, a town to another, as well as a number of traditional national dishes. There is truly a Mexican gastronomy, and it is a shame it remains poorly known outside of its original borders, because it is bursting with flavors and uniqueness.
I thought the big Mexican meal we had at home this week-end would be the perfect opportunity to give newbies a sneak peak of Mexican food art, starting with my FAVORITE DISH EVER:
Mole Poblano
Now even though this one has been cooked by a French cook in Paris, it's based on a Mexican family recipe and made with imported Mexican products to re-create the authentic flavor. And it's pretty darn close.
"Mole Poblano" is actually the name of the sauce that gives its unforgettable savor to the dish. It means mole from the city of Puebla, as there are different types of mole encountered throughout the country. It is made with cocoa (yes, like chocolate) and chilli. It is delicious and a bit hot and it looks like this:
The rest of the dish is mainly chicken cooked for hours in a broth with spices, that you eat with rice and beans and veggies.
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| Chicken in progress... |
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| *Veggies may vary! |
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| Frijoles = beans, they're as basic as tortillas in Mexican cuisine |
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| Rice & avocados complete the dish nicely. |
The end result looks something like this:
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Don't you feel like tasting it now?
Grenade seeds are not traditional with this dish, but they are used in many other Mexican dishes. We just added them because we had some and I love them!
My mom has made this dish a lot through the years for guests, and everyone always loved it, even those not used to spicy food. I obviously can't stop myself from ordering some any time I go to a proper restaurant in Mexico. Get it if you ever have the chance!
These pictures are mine. Please do not use them without permission!
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