In an 1870s cookbook from Puebla there were recipes for 44 different moles but only one, Mole Poblano de Guajolote, or turkey in mole sauce, is called the National Dish of Mexico. This mole has descended from an Aztec chilemolli dish and although it’s called poblano, it doesn’t contain any poblano chiles. In this case poblano refers to the people of Puebla, birthplace of this dish. For an authentic taste, lard is used, but if that’s offensive to you, substitute vegetable oil. Also, Mexican chocolate can be used, but if you do, be sure to eliminate the cinnamon from the recipe.
Pickled Habaneros
I have a habanero problem. Not the normal addiction issue (although I do loves myself some hab). My dilemma involves gardening. I have more habanero peppers than I know what to do with. With Christmas rounding third base and heading for home, I’m pickling a bunch of them as gifts. Here’s the recipe I’m using from our sister site, Fiery Foods and Barbecue Central.
Cornferno: Is this the World’s Hottest Popcorn?
When you claim to make “The Any-est Anything Ever” you better be able to back it up. People are going to test you. Pop Pop Shoppe claims its Cornferno is “The Hottest Popcorn. Ever.” After passing it around at a party and having eaten two big handfuls myself, I’m inclined to agree with that claim.
Steak and Pepper Sandwich with Chipotle Garlic Cheese Spread
Only if you’ve done it right. Luckily, mixing All Spice Cafe’s Chipotle Garlic sauce with Karoun Kefir Cheese Labne worked extremely well. If it hadn’t, there’d be a new hole in my backyard. The sort of hole Joe Pesci bitched about having to dig in Casino, only without a snitch in it. The sauce packs a medium-sized heat and smoky flavor with garlic and tartness. Traditionally made by draining whey from slightly salted yogurt, Labne is a thick and creamy yogurt cheese that’s a healthier alternative to regular cream cheese. It’s also rich enough to be used as a substitute for sour cream.
Home-Cured Olives Revisited
You may remember the article we ran on Harald Zoschke’s home-cured olive how-to.
He’s been busy again.
Since early 2014, Harald and his wife Renate have lived in Northern Italy, at beautiful Garda Lake. This is the world’s northernmost region where olive trees grow (on a commercial scale). Here they have some nice olive trees in their yard, and in early November 2015 they had a wonderful harvest of 12 kg (about 26 lbs.) dark mature olives (cultivar Leccino).
Smoked Mexican Turkey with Orange Chile Oil Marinade
I have turkey on the brain right now so for the next three weeks, you’re going to see a post a week from me on the subject. If you’re really lucky, it may even induce a food coma.
Mesquite-Grilled Turkey Legs with Jalapeño-Cilantro Lime Basting Sauce
If your Thanksgiving get together is on the small side, you may not want an entire turkey. Even if you do plan on going whole bird, this is really tasty, spicy way to prep the legs. Henry the VIII would love it.
