Beef Ribs with Mol Coloradito

Name: Beef Ribs with Mol Coloradito
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: mexican
Ingredients: 8 pounds meaty beef short ribs; Coarse salt and pepper; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 carrot, finely chopped; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 1 bay leaf; 7 guajillo chiles; 1 ancho chile; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 clove; 2 tablespoons sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon coriander seeds; 1/2 ripe plantain, peeled and diced; 1/3 cup yellow raisins; 1/4 cup slivered almonds; 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes with their liquid; 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped; 2 teaspoons brown sugar, or to taste; 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, or to taste; 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe from Talavera Restaurant

Adapted by Steven Raichlen

Beef Ribs with Mol Coloradito — Michael McElroy for The New York Times

Total Time: 3¼ hours
Rating: 5(78)
Comments: Read comments

The earthy, fruity, spicy, though not especially fiery “little red” mole -- one of Oaxaca’s seven classic sauces -- is cooked separately and seared onto the ribs at the end to form a savory crust. —Steven Raichlen

Featured in: Rib Heresies: The Bones That Got Away

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Ingredients

For the Ribs

8pounds meaty beef short ribs
Coarse salt and pepper
2tablespoons vegetable oil
1medium onion, finely chopped
1carrot, finely chopped
2celery stalks, finely chopped
1bay leaf

For the Mole Coloradito

7guajillo chiles
1ancho chile
2tablespoons vegetable oil
1small onion, chopped
2garlic cloves, chopped
½teaspoon ground cumin
1cinnamon stick
1clove
2tablespoons sesame seeds
1teaspoon dried oregano
1bay leaf
1teaspoon coriander seeds
½ripe plantain, peeled and diced
⅓cup yellow raisins
¼cup slivered almonds
½cup crushed tomatoes with their liquid
1ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2teaspoons brown sugar, or to taste
2teaspoons red wine vinegar, or to taste
1teaspoon salt

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Very generously season the ribs on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat for 1 minute. In a single layer, working in several batches if needed, brown the ribs well all over, 6 to 8 minutes a side. Transfer the ribs to a platter.
Step 2
Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook until browned, 5 minutes, stirring often. Return the ribs to the pot and add the bay leaf and water to cover. Bake, tightly covered, until very tender, about 3 hours.
Step 3
Meanwhile, prepare the mole. Tear open the chilies, removing and discarding the stems and seeds. Place the chilies in a bowl with 2 cups warm water and soak until softened, 15 minutes.
Step 4
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent but not brown, stirring with a wooden spoon, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook for 1 minute.
Step 5
Transfer the chilies to the pan, reserving the soaking liquid. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the soaking liquid and all remaining ingredients. Gently simmer until the plantains and raisins are soft, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the cinnamon stick. Puree the sauce in a blender until smooth, then return it to the saucepan.
Step 6
Add ½ to 1 cup of the rib cooking liquid until the sauce is thick but pourable. Adjust the seasoning, adding salt, sugar, or vinegar to taste — the mole should be highly seasoned and a little sweet with just a faint hint of tartness. (The mole can be prepared up to one day ahead and reheated.)
Step 7
To serve, turn on the broiler or heat the oven to 450 degrees. Spoon half of the mole over the bottom of a baking dish just large enough to hold the ribs. Remove the ribs from their braising liquid, drain well, and place on top. Spoon the remaining mole over the ribs. Broil or bake until the mole sizzles and browns, 2 to 4 minutes on each side under the broiler, or 8 to 12 minutes in the oven.

Ratings

5 out of 5

78 user ratings

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Comments

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BFarmer in H-town7 years ago

Used an authentic imported mole paste I picked up in San Antonio the last time I was there (the benefits of living in Texas) in lieu of the made from scratch option in this recipe but otherwise stuck to the instructions. It turned out fantastic when served with roasted winter squash and broiled asparagus. Will try smoking the short ribs on my BGE in lieu of the searing and braising process next time - feels like it would take these to the next level when paired with the mole.

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