Mole Poblano

Directions

1. 1
   Heat large, ungreased skillet, and, over medium-high heat, toast chiles in batches.
2. 2
   Flatten chiles with spatula, and cook until chiles change color and release aromas.
3. 3
   Remove from heat, and place in bowl of hot water.
4. 4
   Add raisins to water, and reconstitute for 30 minutes or up to several hours.
5. 5
   Drain, and place in large bowl.
6. 6
   Roast tomatoes, unpeeled onion and unpeeled garlic cloves until covered with black spots.
7. 7
   Remove from heat, and, when cool enough to handle, peel and cut off stem ends.
8. 8
   Place tomatoes, onion and garlic into bowl of drained chiles.
9. 9
   Place 2 tablespoons oil in skillet, and heat to medium-high heat.
10. 10
    Fry plantains to golden brown, remove from heat and add to chiles.
11. 11
    In hot ungreased skillet, toast peanuts and seeds separately as each takes different amounts of time to brown and release aromas.
12. 12
    Combine peanuts and seeds with chiles.
13. 13
    Spoon chile-nut mixture into blender until blender is half full.
14. 14
    Add enough water to facilitate blending, and puree.
15. 15
    Pour mixture into bowl, and continue pureeing and adding extra water until chile-nut mixture is used up.
16. 16
    Sauce will be textured.
17. 17
    With wooden spoon, push through strainer into separate bowl, discarding bits of chile skin.
18. 18
    Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over high heat in deep saucepan.
19. 19
    Pour in puree, taking care to avoid splatters, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
20. 20
    Reduce heat to low, add chopped chocolate tablet, canela and salt, and cook for 1 hour.
21. 21
    When sauce has reduced slightly and thickened to consistency of heavy cream, remove from heat and use immediately, or cool and refrigerate for up to two days.
22. 22
    Freeze any leftover servings.