Mayan Mole Recado

Experience the vibrant flavors of Belize with our traditional Mayan Mole Recado recipe. This rich paste combines the earthy warmth of ancho and pasilla chiles with aromatic spices like black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, finely ground into a luscious mix with sesame seeds and garlic. Infused with a tangy burst of bitter orange or lime juice, this recado is a quintessential base for many Mayan mole dishes. Mole recado blends Mexican mole tradition with Belizean recado spice pastes.

Mole Recado Recipe Ingredients

• 2 Ancho chiles (about 30 grams)
• 3 Pasilla chiles (about 45 grams)
• 1 tbsp. black pepper (about 15 grams)
• 1 small piece of cinnamon stick (about 3 cm long)
• 3 whole cloves (about 1 gram)
• Half tbsp. sesame seeds (about 4.5 grams)
• 3 garlic cloves (about 15 grams)
• Bitter orange or lime juice (enough to form a thick paste, approximately 50-100 ml)

Mole Racado Recipe Instructions

1. Prepare the Chiles:
   • Toast the ancho and pasilla chiles in a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat until they begin to puff up. Remove from heat, allow them to cool, then deseed and soak them in hot water until they are soft.
2. Toast the Spices:
   • In the same skillet, lightly toast the black pepper, cloves, and sesame seeds until fragrant, careful not to burn them.
3. Make the Paste:
   • In a blender, hand-cranked spice grinder, or mortar and pestle, combine the softened chiles, toasted spices, cinnamon sticks, and garlic cloves. Pulse or grind until the ingredients start to blend.
   • Slowly add bitter orange juice or lime juice, continuing to blend until the mixture achieves a thick paste consistency.

Mole Recado Serving Suggestions:

• Use this Mole Recado as a marinade for meats or a flavorful addition to stews and sauces.
• It pairs particularly well with poultry and pork, enhancing the dishes’ deep, complex flavor profile.

Storage:

• Store any leftover recado in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for extended storage.

Our Mayan Mole Recado is a splendid introduction to the rich tapestry of Belizean culinary traditions. This versatile spice blend is just one of the many recados used to season and enhance the local cuisine. Explore the full spectrum of flavors with our other authentic recado varieties: the deep and smoky Black Recado, the vibrant Red Recado, and the mild and aromatic White Recado. Each recado brings its unique character to various dishes, whether it’s rubbed on meats, added to stews, or used as a seasoning for vegetables. Keep these essential Mayan recados in your pantry and easily infuse your meals with the traditional flavors of Belize, making every dish a celebration of its rich cultural heritage.

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