Making Mole Verde at La Cocina

Are you familiar with mole verde? I've always loved mole poblano, the chocolate-based mole, and knew that there are many other types of mole -- red rojo, pumpkin seed-based pipián from the Yucatan, even a white mole made with pine nuts -- but had never tasted green mole verde from the Guanajuato region until last week. I was invited to La Cocina, the non-profit kitchen incubator, to learn how to make this regional dish at the hands of Lupe Guerrero of El Pipila, one of their charter businesses.

El Pipila is one of the businesses who will be featured at this Friday's O, Mole Night dinner at Ghirardelli Square, where some of San Francisco's top chefs, like Traci des Jardins, will be collaborating with La Cocina's female food entrepreneurs to interpret mole multiple ways. This is the kickoff event for El Mercado, a joint effort with Do415, showcasing local artisans, and closing with La Tamalada, a hands-on class where you'll learn to make four kinds of tamales. Tickets to O, Mole Night and La Tamalada are available now; El Mercado is free. 

Lupe was in La Cocina's kitchen with her mother and daughter, three generations of mole-making prowess. Like many other moles, this one is a mixture of herbs, spices and nuts that are pulverized into a thickened sauce. What sets mole verde apart and gives it its vibrant color are tomatillos, serrano chilies, and fresh cilantro and spearmint. The mixture includes sesame and pumpkin seeds, but somewhat unusually also peanuts. 

While the tomatillos and serranos were stewing, abuela fried up the pork chops. 

Meanwhile, we had to make the fresh tortillas. Although I am a fan of the fresh masa tortillas from La Palma, the ladies at El Pipila got their masa from La Finca in Oakland, and I was fairly blown away by the rich, corny flavor. Both Omar Mamoon of Dough & Co. and I tried our hand at pressing fresh tortillas. 

Lupe showed us how to make sopes, thicker tortillas that, while still hot from the griddle, you pinch around the corners to make a shallow bowl that you can fill with meats and salsas. 

Once the tomatillos and serranos were ready, it was time to blend all the ingredients together. 

The blended mole goes into the pan with the pork chops, juices and all, and cooks until thickened into a rich, green sauce. 

Serve the mole verde with rice and fresh tortillas. As a vegetarian option, you can use potatoes instead of pork, and it's quite good indeed.

Mole Verde con Chuletas de Puerco

 

Recipe Type: Main course

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Lupe Guerrero of El Pipila

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 10 pork chops
• 2 lbs tomatillos
• 6 serrano chilies
• 1/2 tsp sesame seed, plus extra for serving
• 1 Tbsp peanuts, toasted
• 1 Tbsp pepitas
• 3 bunches cilantro
• 6 sprigs spearmint
• 4 cloves
• 6 black peppercorns
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp cumin seed
• Sea salt to taste

Instructions

1. Add the canola oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and add to the pan. Fry until golden on both sides. Continue until all chops are fried. Remove pan from heat and set pork chops aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a pot, cover the tomatillos and serranos with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10-15 minutes, until they start to turn a yellow color. Drain the water and set the tomatillos and serranos aside.
3. In a small pan, lightly toast the peanuts, sesame seeds and pepitas. Set aside.
4. Combine all the ingredients besides the pork chops in a large blender and blend until smooth. The texture should be thick and not watery.
5. Return the pan with the pork chops to the heat, with the oils and juices from the chops. Pour in the blended mixture and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes.
6. Once the sauce is thickened, return the pork chops to the pan and heat through in the sauce. Transfer to a warm bowl, top with extra toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately with fresh tortillas and Mexican rice.