Mexico: One Plate at a Time — Season 1, Episode 22: Holy Mole: Mexico City

Episode synopsis

Richly complex, shrouded in mystery and misconceptions, Red Mole sauce is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of Mexican cooking and the ultimate mestizo dish–a blend of pre-Columbian and European flavors and techniques that come together in a sauce of remarkable depth and baroque complexity. Its origins are the stuff of myth and magic: convent nuns being visited by midnight visions, enchanted winds blowing through ancient kitchens. It’s a long-simmered sauce perfumed with chiles, nuts, spices and yes, sometimes, though not always, chocolate. No exploration of mole would be complete without a visit to the restaurants, ornately tiled cathedrals and convent kitchens of Puebla, where mole is elevated to the level of a sacred calling. Back in Chicago, Rick takes us into the kitchen and guides us through the intricacies of mole-making, with step-by-step instructions for recreating it at home. There’s a helpful “sidebar” on choosing wines to compliment Mexican food.

About Mexico: One Plate at a Time

Rick Bayless, the beloved chef and restaurateur, seamlessly weaves together techniques, recipes, cultural musings and off-the-wall surprises. Throughout the series, Rick translates his Mexican travel adventures into unforgettable parties from intimate fireside suppers and casual backyard cocktails with friends to big, boisterous bashes for 25.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Whole Enchilada
• E2Let's Talk Tacos
• E3The Straight Cheese On Quesadillas
• E4Sopes And Gorditas: Masa Appeal
• E5Tacos From The Ground Up
• E6Ceviche In The Limelight
• E7Green Sauce And Tomatillos: Mexican Vine Dining
• E8A La Mexicana: The Soul Of Mexican Cooking
• E9Fruit, Aguas, Ices & Paletas: The Ripe Stuff
• E10Rice to the Occasion
• E11Caldo de Pollo & Tortilla Soup: The Super Bowl
• E12Chiles Rellenos and Other Cool Stuff