This Malaysian paste is the culinary equivalent of harissa in North Africa and berbere in Ethiopia. Its most common use is in making quick main dishes.
Lime Soup with Tortilla Strips and Chile
There are many variations of soup with tortillas throughout Mexico, and this is a variation that is popular in the Yucatán Peninsula.
Tamale Pie
This recipe is a delicious alternative to traditional tamales. A green salad is all that is needed to complete a meal.
Mole Poblano de Guajolote (Turkey in Chocolate Chile Sauce)
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.
