We invite you to share your cherished family recipes with us for the Feria del Mole! This Mexico City food festival celebrates the rich tradition of mole and the diverse culinary heritage it represents.
By submitting your recipe, you contribute to the vibrant tapestry of flavors that our festival showcases. Here’s how to participate:
- Recipe Details: Include the name of your dish, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions.
- Family Story: Share a brief story about the significance of this recipe in your family.
- Submission Format: Please submit your recipe in a clear and organized format, ideally as a Word document or PDF.
Your recipe may be featured in our festival materials, helping to celebrate the art of mole and the stories behind it. We look forward to tasting the love and tradition that your recipe brings!
Tips for Writing Down a Mole Recipe That Others Can Cook
Family mole recipes often live in memory rather than on paper. A grandmother may measure chiles by the handful or judge the toasting of sesame seeds by smell alone. Turning that knowledge into written steps takes a little care, and a few details make a big difference to anyone trying to recreate your dish.
Be specific about chiles and ingredients
Mole depends heavily on its chiles, so name each variety clearly: ancho, mulato, pasilla, guajillo, chipotle or chilhuacle, for example. Say whether they are dried or fresh and roughly how many you use. If your family relies on a particular chocolate, a type of bread or tortilla for thickening, or a local herb such as hoja santa, mention it. Where a substitute works, note that too, since cooks outside Mexico may not find every ingredient.
Describe the techniques, not just the quantities
Much of mole's character comes from method. Tell readers how long you toast the chiles and how you know they are ready, whether you fry the paste in lard or oil, and how thick the finished sauce should be. Phrases like "until it coats the back of a spoon" or "until the seeds turn golden" are far more useful than exact timings alone.
Share the context
Let us know which region your recipe comes from, whether it is served at weddings, Día de Muertos or Sunday lunches, and what it is traditionally paired with, such as turkey, chicken, rice or tamales. If the recipe has changed over generations, that evolution is part of the story worth telling.
Before you send it
- Ask a friend to read it and flag any unclear steps.
- Include an approximate number of servings.
- Mention any allergens, such as nuts or sesame.
- Confirm that you are happy for the recipe and story to be shared.
For inspiration, browse the dishes already collected on our recipes page, or get in touch through the contact page if you have questions about your submission.