Vegan Mole Poblano with Roasted Cauliflower
Why this recipe works
- Layered flavour: Chilli powders, tomato, warm spices, nuts, sesame and dark chocolate build a sauce with smoke, earthiness and savoury depth.
- Roasted texture: Roasting the cauliflower first gives it browned edges and a firmer bite before it is coated in the mole.
- Good for planning ahead: The mole can be made in advance, refrigerated or frozen, then reheated gently before combining with the cauliflower.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Puebla-style inspiration: Mole poblano is closely associated with Puebla and is known for combining dried chillies, nuts or seeds, spices and chocolate into a complex savoury sauce.
- Vegan adaptation: This version keeps the flavour structure of mole while using roasted cauliflower and vegetable stock in place of the more typical meat-based serving.
Adjust the heat
- For a gentler sauce: Reduce the chilli powders slightly and let the tomato, nuts and chocolate carry more of the flavour.
- For more heat: Add a little extra chilli powder or include a hotter chilli alongside the ancho and guajillo flavours.
- Balance before serving: Taste after the chocolate has melted, as its richness can soften the heat and change how much seasoning the sauce needs.
Texture tips
- For a smoother mole: Blend the sauce thoroughly while hot, then sieve it if you want a more polished, restaurant-style finish.
- Keep the chocolate glossy: After adding the dark chocolate, keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than boiling it hard.
- Loosen if needed: If the mole thickens too much during reheating, add vegetable stock gradually until it coats the cauliflower easily.
Ingredient swaps
- Cashews for almonds: Cashews make the mole slightly creamier and a little sweeter than almonds.
- Pumpkin seeds for sesame: Roasted pumpkin seeds give the sauce a nuttier, earthier character.
- Canned tomatoes for fresh: Canned chopped tomatoes are a reliable option when ripe fresh tomatoes are not at their best.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and toss with 1 tbsp of the olive oil on a baking tray.
- Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until deeply browned at the edges and just tender. Set aside while you make the mole.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and slice the garlic. Roughly chop the tomatoes.
- Warm 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then cook the onion for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomatoes, ancho chili powder, guajillo chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon and dried oregano. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring, until the tomatoes break down and the spices smell toasted.
- Add the almonds and sesame seeds, then pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the almonds soften slightly and the sauce looks cohesive.
- Blend the sauce until very smooth, then return it to the saucepan. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until thick and glossy, then stir in the dark baking chocolate until melted.
- Toss the roasted cauliflower with the mole in the saucepan, adding the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil if you want a silkier finish. Warm for 2 to 3 minutes until the cauliflower is well coated and piping hot, then serve with rice.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- For the smoothest mole, blend while the sauce is hot and give it a full minute, then pass it through a sieve-strainer if you want a restaurant-style finish.
- Keep the simmer gentle after adding the dark baking chocolate so the sauce stays glossy rather than grainy.
- If serving vulnerable groups, make sure the sauce is heated until piping hot throughout before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Almonds with Cashew nuts for a creamier, slightly sweeter mole.
- Replace Sesame seeds with Roasted pumpkin seeds for a nuttier, earthier finish.
- Replace Tomato with Canned chopped tomatoes for a more consistent sauce base.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of vegetable stock until piping hot; freeze for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 1h 25min (40min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Mexican
-
Allergens:
Almonds Sesame
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