Using Chocolate in Savory Mexican Recipes

Chocolate is not something that many peopleand complexity to a dish is a trend that lives on.
associate with savory recipes but actually, it canChocolate powder or grated chocolate can be added
combine incredibly with various savory dishes, lending ato a chili or stew to intensify the flavor and to go nicely
rich and smooth texture, as well as a gourmet flavor.with the other ingredients.
Not all chocolate is sweet, of course, and if you haveThe flavor of a dish with added chocolate is not
tried bitter chocolate or cocoa powder, you will knowsweet like you might think and a lot of people might not
this.immediately recognize the chocolate flavor; rather they
Chocolate has been used for more than two thousandwould just enjoy the luxurious texture of the food and
years in Central American during the Mayan age, tothe overall taste.
make a bitter drink. The cacao pods were split and theAn Easy Recipe for Chicken in Chocolate Sauce
beans were dried, fermented, and roasted. They wereYou will need:
then ground to a paste and mixed with spices and- 1 chopped whole chicken
water to make this old chocolate drink. It is believed- 1 onion
that chocolate was also used to make a corn mash,- 1 bell pepper
which would have had the consistency of porridge.- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
When chocolate was imported to Europe in the- 1 oz baking chocolate squares
sixteenth century, it was combined with sugar.- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
European chefs however still used it in savory dishes,- 1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to taste
combining it with venison, hare, duck and adding it to- 1/2 teaspoon salt
braised dishes. In Italy and Spain, chocolate is- 1 lb can tomato sauce
sometimes added to coq au vin recipes.- 2 minced cloves garlic
Modern Recipes with ChocolateHow to make it:
If you look at modern Mexican food recipes, mole isRemove the skin from the chicken and saute it in the
the most famous Mexican recipe, which featuresoil. Remove the chicken from the pan. Chop the onion
chocolate. This sauce includes garlic, onion, spices, andand bell pepper and cook them in the oil with the garlic
chilies. It is often served with chicken or turkey. If youuntil tender. Add the salt and tomato sauce, then the
want to try, making some famous Mexican recipeschocolate and other seasonings, stirring until the
with chocolate, mole is a great sauce to begin withchocolate melts.
because it has such a mouthwatering taste and suchReturn the chicken to the pan and simmer the mixture
a fresh and complex flavor. Serve it with meat,until the chicken is tender. Take it out of the pan and
chicken, or fish.remove the bones. Adjust the seasonings and serve
There are more sweet Mexican recipes withwith noodles or rice.
chocolate than savory recipes but using it to add color