HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.

In honor of the Mexican holiday Cinco De Mayo I am going to post this cute video and then a recipe for a delicious Mexican meal.  Please let me know if you make it and I would appreciate your comments! - You can comment on anything - just comment please!  This dog is soooo special!

CHICKEN WITH PEANUT MOLE SAUCE
(POLLO EN MOLE DE CACAHUATE)

The mole sauce with chiles, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and peanut butter really makes this Mexican chicken dish pop.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (4-pound) stewing chicken, cut up
• 8 cups water
• 4 stalks celery with leaves
• 1 medium carrot, sliced
• 1 small onion, cut up
• 2 sprigs parsley
• 2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon granules
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 of a 10-ounce can (2/3 cup) tomatoes with green chiles
• 2 slices white bread, torn
• 2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 whole black peppercorns
• 1 (1/2-inch stick) cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 small clove garlic, minced

Preparation:

Place chicken pieces in Dutch oven with water. Add celery, carrot, onion, parsley, bouillon granules, and pepper. Bring to boiling. Cover and cook over low heat 2 to 2-1/2 hours or till chicken is tender.

Remove chicken pieces. Place in a 2-quart casserole. Strain broth; skim off fat. Reserve 1-1/2 cups of the broth for sauce (cover and refrigerate remaining broth for another use).

To prepare mole de cacahuate: In blender container place the reserved chicken broth, tomatoes with green chiles, bread, and peanut butter. Cover and blend till smooth. Turn into 2-quart saucepan.

With mortar and pestle crush cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon well; add to saucepan along with chili powder and garlic. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or till thickened, stirring often.

Spoon mole de cacahuate over chicken in casserole. Bake, covered, in 350-degree F. oven 30 to 40 minutes or till heated through.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Recipe Source: Better Homes and Gardens Mexican Cooking (Better Homes and Gardens)
Reprinted with permission.