Confused on Where to Start with Mole Paste and Chiles?

[PamperedDor]

Ok - so I decided to finally start looking through this book, and now I am totally lost!!!

Ok - what is Mole Paste? AND where do you find it??

I don't live in the booneys so to speak, but I have never heard of half of the peppers or chiles - Do you have to go to a speciality store for them?

I am putting together the recipes for my mystery host and wanted to add one from this book - but nothing is jumping out at me - I don't cater my Mystery host, I do mainly appetizers (so far I am doing the avocado salsa cups, spinach carb pizza, smoky buffalo wings,brown sugar -dijon brie and the chocolate peanut butter torte ) I wanted something that I could cut up (like a chicken) and put out like the samples at Costco -

Any help on all of the above??

 

[cathyskitchen]

Mole (pronounced mo-LAY) paste can be found in the ethnic aisle of most large supermarkets. Look in the Mexican section. I posted a link to this type of sauce/paste and what is typically in it - do a search for "mole" and you should be able to find it.

The peppers and chiles should be easy to find in a large grocery store, too - ask the produce guy/gal and they should be able to direct you to them. I've been able to find most peppers at my grocery store in suburban Philly, so LI, NY stores should be very similar.

I can't wait to get this cookbook - I was waiting to order this sample package after I got my mid-month commission, so hopefully I'll get it soon. The recipes sound SO good, and we LOVE Mexican style dishes. DH will be over the moon!!

Good luck!

 

[PamperedDor]

Thanks Cathy -

Thank goodness you clarified the pronouncation - I totally would have called it MOLE (like that rodent thing) in the store - then wouldn't I look like the gourmet!!! LOL!!

Yes - it has some interesting recipes -

Thanks for you help!!

 

[rennea]

You can also make your own mole sauce, it's a spicey chocolate sauce. Allrecipes.com should have a recipe for it.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

i buy it in an "old fashioned glass jelly" type jar

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I was really excited about the Latin Cookbook....but not so much once reading through it.

I took the cookbook with me grocery shopping to 2 local grocery stores (there are no national chains near me....there is a Super Walmart about half hour away, but I wouldn't shop there even if it was down the street!) and couldn't find the following things - even in the ethnic aisle. So, I'm pretty sure this will be a non-seller for me.

1. Dried Chilies de arbol
2. Dried Guajillo peppers
3. Recaito
4. Chihuahua Cheese
5. Saffron Seasoning Packets (found Saffron in a bottle...for $15!!)
6. Sofrito
7. Cotija Cheese
8. Mole Paste

Not being able to find these ingredients affects half (10 out of 20) of the recipes. I guess this will be more of a regional cookbook.

 

[rennea]

Saffron for $15.00 isn't a bad price!!! You don't need to use a lot of saffron, couple of strands will flavor most dishes.

 

[rennea]

I was really excited about the Latin Cookbook....but not so much once reading through it.

I took the cookbook with me grocery shopping to 2 local grocery stores (there are no national chains near me....there is a Super Walmart about half hour away, but I wouldn't shop there even if it was down the street!) and couldn't find the following things - even in the ethnic aisle. So, I'm pretty sure this will be a non-seller for me.

1. Dried Chilies de arbol
2. Dried Guajillo peppers
3. Recaito
4. Chihuahua Cheese
5. Saffron Seasoning Packets (found Saffron in a bottle...for $15!!)
6. Sofrito
7. Cotija Cheese
8. Mole Paste

Not being able to find these ingredients affects half (10 out of 20) of the recipes. I guess this will be more of a regional cookbook.

Becky for the Dried Chilies de arbol any really hot dried chilli pepper would work. Guajillo peepers are hot but I don't think as hot as the other.

Recaito is a sauce made with Cilantro and is yummy, can't find it here I have to make my own.
For the chihuahua cheese sub a mild chedder or jack cheese.
For the cotija cheese sub a feta cheese.
Don't think I have ever had sofrito though, can't help you there.

 

[cathyskitchen]

I checked my local Safeway division (Genuardis) and they have 2 of them - the Recaito and the Sofrito are both "Goya" brand, which is a pretty popular brand. If you live near a large metropolitan area, you may even be able to find specialty grocery stores for Latin/Mexican ingredients. I know we have several Indian, Asian and other types of stores around here, so I might be able to find a Latina one, as well. Good luck!

 

[cathyskitchen]

Hey, look what I found - 2 online Mexican/Latina grocery stores!

Amigofoods is an online Latino grocery store delivering imported foods from all over Latin America right to your door.

Mexican food and Mexican recipes at MexGrocer.com

You can order the ingredients online and have them delivered - gotta love that!

 

[rennea]

I checked my local Safeway division (Genuardis) and they have 2 of them - the Recaito and the Sofrito are both "Goya" brand, which is a pretty popular brand. If you live near a large metropolitan area, you may even be able to find specialty grocery stores for Latin/Mexican ingredients. I know we have several Indian, Asian and other types of stores around here, so I might be able to find a Latina one, as well. Good luck!

We don't have a single "specialty" grocery store around here. LOL But our regular store do have "ethnic" sections, as they call them. Our one store close to me has an amazing spice section:thumbup:

 

[cathyskitchen]

We don't have a single "specialty" grocery store around here. LOL But our regular store do have "ethnic" sections, as they call them. Our one store close to me has an amazing spice section:thumbup:

Aww, you poor Canadiennes! Try the online store!

 

[rennea]

I don't really have too much trouble finding products locally. In my general area we have a huge population of Chinese, East Indian so the stores help cater to those and Italian food seems very popular here.

When I travel I bring back tons of foodie stuff too. I must seem like a bit of a nut going through customes!!

 

[PamperedCaniac]

Yeah almost all of our grocery stores have these items too (except for the safron due to price).... However, NC has a high Latino/Hispainic population now and we have many grocery stores that are Hispanic based stores only too. I noticed my new kit was shipped yesterday so I am hoping that the new cookbook will have lots of yummy things for me to try and that I will not have to drive around town to get these too!??!??!??!

 

[PamperedDor]

Well - I went to the Super Stop and Shop near me - none of the peppers nor the Mole stuff - I think I might be in Beckys boat - We do have an area not far from me that is more hispanic that does have big chain stores as well - so I might try there - We are more "local" fare I guess because I check Walbaums as well and nope - the idiot in the produce department thought I was nuts and no sign in the mexican (tacos etc) area nor the Goya area for the Mole -

I was having a tough time finding the Balsamic Asian Salad dressing as well - got a dressing Asian by Newmans - doesn't say Balsamic though! (For the Satay Salad SB)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Saffron for $15.00 isn't a bad price!!! You don't need to use a lot of saffron, couple of strands will flavor most dishes.

This was just a couple of strands! In a bottle by McCormick.

 

[merego]

Ok - so I decided to finally start looking through this book, and now I am totally lost!!!

Ok - what is Mole Paste? AND where do you find it??

I don't live in the booneys so to speak, but I have never heard of half of the peppers or chiles - Do you have to go to a speciality store for them?

I am putting together the recipes for my mystery host and wanted to add one from this book - but nothing is jumping out at me - I don't cater my Mystery host, I do mainly appetizers (so far I am doing the avocado salsa cups, spinach carb pizza, smoky buffalo wings,brown sugar -dijon brie and the chocolate peanut butter torte ) I wanted something that I could cut up (like a chicken) and put out like the samples at Costco -

Any help on all of the above??

HA, I thought it was MOLE ( like the rodent too) Still doesn't sound appetizing to me.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Well - I went to the Super Stop and Shop near me - none of the peppers nor the Mole stuff - I think I might be in Beckys boat - We do have an area not far from me that is more hispanic that does have big chain stores as well - so I might try there - We are more "local" fare I guess because I check Walbaums as well and nope - the idiot in the produce department thought I was nuts and no sign in the mexican (tacos etc) area nor the Goya area for the Mole -

I was having a tough time finding the Balsamic Asian Salad dressing as well - got a dressing Asian by Newmans - doesn't say Balsamic though! (For the Satay Salad SB)

Dor...

I think you may have misread...it doesn't specify anything about balsamic. It says "lite" Asian vinaigrette dressing. (Maybe this will make it easier to find!! lol)

I couldn't find light, but I found just a normal one and it tasted really good! DH didn't like it, though...but he's a food fuddy duddy. He is just a plain meat and potatoes guy!

 

[rennea]

This was just a couple of strands! In a bottle by McCormick.

WOW!!!! :thumbdown:

 

[kspry]

Saffron is probably the most expensive spice inthe world. I get mine from Penzy's. A little goes a long way!

I had to search for those dried peppers - they are in the produce section at WalMart and almost every grocery store. There is a big Hispanic population here in KC.

You could ask a manager to special order the mole.

What I can't find, is lite Asian dressing. I made the Asian dressing on the Measure Mix & Pour as a substitute.

 

[Chefstover2]

Dor...

I think you may have misread...it doesn't specify anything about balsamic. It says "lite" Asian vinaigrette dressing. (Maybe this will make it easier to find!! lol)

I couldn't find light, but I found just a normal one and it tasted really good! DH didn't like it, though...but he's a food fuddy duddy. He is just a plain meat and potatoes guy!

Wishbone makes it. It's really good!

 

[cathyskitchen]

HA, I thought it was MOLE ( like the rodent too) Still doesn't sound appetizing to me.

Oh, you have to try it - it's SO good!! It can be an "acquired" taste, though. DH always loved it and got it all the time - I just recently started eating dishes made with Mole sauce and now I'm a lover of it, too!

 

[rennea]

PC has a Mole Chicken Pizza that's really good, just can't remember what recipe books it's in!

 

[DebbieJ]

I was really excited about the Latin Cookbook....but not so much once reading through it.

I took the cookbook with me grocery shopping to 2 local grocery stores (there are no national chains near me....there is a Super Walmart about half hour away, but I wouldn't shop there even if it was down the street!) and couldn't find the following things - even in the ethnic aisle. So, I'm pretty sure this will be a non-seller for me.

1. Dried Chilies de arbol
2. Dried Guajillo peppers
3. Recaito
4. Chihuahua Cheese
5. Saffron Seasoning Packets (found Saffron in a bottle...for $15!!)
6. Sofrito
7. Cotija Cheese
8. Mole Paste

Not being able to find these ingredients affects half (10 out of 20) of the recipes. I guess this will be more of a regional cookbook.

Recaito is SOOOOO easy to make from scratch. Put 1/2 a green pepper, 1/2 an onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and a couple springs of cilantro in your food processor or blender.

I made the recipe that requires it--the pork chops and sweet potatoes--and it was OUTSTANDING!!!!!

 

[DebbieJ]

Well - I went to the Super Stop and Shop near me - none of the peppers nor the Mole stuff - I think I might be in Beckys boat - We do have an area not far from me that is more hispanic that does have big chain stores as well - so I might try there - We are more "local" fare I guess because I check Walbaums as well and nope - the idiot in the produce department thought I was nuts and no sign in the mexican (tacos etc) area nor the Goya area for the Mole -

I was having a tough time finding the Balsamic Asian Salad dressing as well - got a dressing Asian by Newmans - doesn't say Balsamic though! (For the Satay Salad SB)

there is no such thing as Balsamic Asian Dressing. You want a simple Asian dressing. I used the Kraft Asian Sesame dressing and the Newman's Asian dressing and preferred the Newman's.

 

[PamperedDor]

Oh thanks Kelly and Deb! I can't tell you the stress I was feeling - like why are there like 2000 salad dressings? (ok - it didn't help have 3 of the 5 kids with me complaining - school starts in less then 2 weeks!!)

DH is like in heaven - I haven't stopped cooking in days!!! (and trust me - that doesn't happen often in the summer!)

Mere - we are two peas in a pod chicka - LOL - still haven't found the rodent stuff yet!! LOL!!

Did ANYONE try the Tortilla Chicken (pg 2) or the Spicey Meatball Soup from this cook book yet? Feedback??

 

[kam]

I am having the same issue with the cookbook! I can't find the "normal" things for some of our recipes at our stores, I don't expect to find these "odd" items. Good luck getting our store to order items - I have tried and it just doesn't happen. They have now even discontinued the Toasted Sesame Oil (for the Asian Noodle Skillet!!).

We have a Wegman's about 35 minutes from here - and that is probably my best bet to get some of these items - but I don't see myself driving that distance for these ingredients.

I don't think I'll sell many of these!

 

[DebbieJ]

If you have a Trader Joe's or a World Market, they might have some of the specialty items. I've seen sesame oil at both places.

 

[rennea]

Recaito is SOOOOO easy to make from scratch. Put 1/2 a green pepper, 1/2 an onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and a couple springs of cilantro in your food processor or blender.

I made the recipe that requires it--the pork chops and sweet potatoes--and it was OUTSTANDING!!!!!

I use a ton!!

 

[cathyskitchen]

Ahh - I love Wegmans and Trader Joes!!!

 

[kam]

If you have a Trader Joe's or a World Market, they might have some of the specialty items. I've seen sesame oil at both places.

Oh, how I wish.

We have Giant and Weis. Neither provides good competition to the other so we are stuck with mediocrity - (sigh). We also have Walmart. And believe it or not, many times I must go to Walmart to find specific items for our recipes!

 

[elizabethfox]

Sofrito is a versatile, aromatic puree of tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, onions, and garlic. It's the foundation of many Latin Caribbean dishes.

Here is the link to a recipe for it Basic Sofrito Recipe

 

[PamperedLady1979]

ChefBeckyD ~ Do you live near a Horrock's market? The one in Lansing (by me) has an ethnic food section that I bet would have those things.

 

[letscook04]

Well - I went to the Super Stop and Shop near me - none of the peppers nor the Mole stuff - I think I might be in Beckys boat - We do have an area not far from me that is more hispanic that does have big chain stores as well - so I might try there - We are more "local" fare I guess because I check Walbaums as well and nope - the idiot in the produce department thought I was nuts and no sign in the mexican (tacos etc) area nor the Goya area for the Mole -

I was having a tough time finding the Balsamic Asian Salad dressing as well - got a dressing Asian by Newmans - doesn't say Balsamic though! (For the Satay Salad SB)

Hey Dor, try Pathmark for the Mole stuff. They have more hispanic food.(maybe you might find your rodent) LOL

 

[ChefBeckyD]

ChefBeckyD ~ Do you live near a Horrock's market? The one in Lansing (by me) has an ethnic food section that I bet would have those things.

I wish! The Horrocks in GR is on the WAY other side of town from me. It's in the Eastern Kentwood area, and I live west of GR. I could probably find the stuff if I went more in that direction, or if I went to Holland, but both ways would be 30 minutes or more....and I just can't see driving that far for a few ingredients.

 

[lacychef]

I was excited about this book too; until I read the ingredients. I do live in the boonies...well, I live in town, but in the middle of western KS! I haven't specifically looked for these ingredients yet, but am going to be really surprised if I find them around here.

 

[babywings76]

In the cookbook, does it tell you substitutes you can use? It would be great if it had a glossary. Maybe we can come up with a handout of explanations to give to our customers who buy this cookbook. My closest stores out here don't carry these items, but just 20 minutes away is a grocery store and also a Super Walmart who must have these things because of the higher latin population. I know I've seen sofrito at least.

Also, a little off topic here, but I remember a season or so ago on the Next Food Network Star, there was a girl who always talked about sofrito in all her challenges. The judges were always like, what is that? Explain to everyone what on earth it is...etc. Now they talk about it a lot more on the network and have some more shows where the person uses it.

 

[chefdiana2007]

Well, I am having the same problem. I live in se Oklahoma, 45 minutes from a large town, and I have checked in 3 different places and can't find any of these things except the mole. I would have to go all the way to OKC or Tulsa 85 to 90 miles to get them. I can't even find sun dired tomatoes in oil and had to stock up when I go to the city.

 

[nancycookspc]

I too was curious about ingredients, and dissapointed about lack of an index. I emailed test kitchens. I was UNPLEASED with the 1st repsonse.Just telling me to go to a spanish grocery store. WEll HECK the closest grocery store is 15 miles away!

Here is their responses-

Dear Nancy,
Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef! Most of these ingredients
including cotija cheese can be found in the Hispanic section of your
grocery store. If not, any Hispanic grocery store will have these items.
Many times, Hispanic grocery stores are a better bargain than regular
grocery stores anyway. There really is no good substitution for the
peppers but these peppers are very common in either the Hispanic section
of your grocer or a Hispanic grocery store. The great thing is that
they're very inexpensive and have a long shelf life. For the cotija, any
crumble cheese will do, even feta if you don't mind the strong flavor.
If not, try just some roughly grated white cheddar. In the pork chop
recipe, you can substitute sour cream for the crema agria (this is the
cook's tip)but believe me, if you make a trip to a Hispanic store and
find crema agria, you'll never go back to regular sour cream again. It's
AMAZING!! I hope I have helped answer your questions. Please feel free
to contact us should you have any more questions.

Warm Regards


Damien Eftekhar
Senior Recipe Applications Specialist
The Pampered Chef
(630) 261-4079
[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Sime <[email protected]>
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:25 AM
To: Consumer Apps
Subject: Test Kitchens (Product Use and Care, Recipes)


Email = [email protected]
Message = HI,
I love the new Latin Flavors cookbook!
I have a few questions about the ingredients. I do not have a Latin
background. It would have been nice to have a glossary in the back
explaining the items.
anyway-
what are and If I cannot find them what is a good sub-

Dried dried guajillo peppers

Pasilla chilies

crema agria

cotija cheese

I look forward to making lots of the recipes, just need a little
clarification on ingredients

THanks!
Nancy

2ND RESPONSE-
Thanks Nancy,
Again, there really is no substitution for the peppers. I do apologize for this. It's hard to make certain Hispanic recipes without them as they are such an integral part of the cuisine. As far as the crema agria goes, sour cream is a good substitute. For the cotija, I think shredded white cheddar would be the best. The tostadas are fantastic. Take care!


Damien Eftekhar
Senior Recipe Applications Specialist
The Pampered Chef
(630) 261-4079
[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Pampered Chef [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 6:14 AM
To: Consumer Apps
Subject: Re: Test Kitchens (Product Use and Care, Recipes)

thank you for your reply.
Not everyone lives near a hispanic grocery store.
I used to live in populated NJ where it would not have been a probelm, now I'm in rural VA nearest grocery store is 20 miles away. Haven;t a clue where I would find a hispanic store less than an hour away!
I was hoping for some insight on possible substitutions.

Nancy