Turkey Mole

Ingredients:
2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried Anaheim chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried chipotle chiles, stemmed and seeded
1/4 cup golden raisins
hot water
1/4 cup whole almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 T whole black peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick, preferably Mexican, broken in pieces
1 T dried oregano, preferably Mexican
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
3 T extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 serrano peppers, stemmed and seeded
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, preferably Mexican, chopped
1 lemon, juiced
2 turkey legs and thighs
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 T extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chicken stock
1 onion, thinly sliced
shaved radishes, for garnish
1 lime, juiced
Oaxacan cheese, crumbled for garnish

cooked white rice, for serving

cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Preparing the mole:
Tear the ancho, Anaheim, and chipotle chiles into large pieces and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until they change color a bit, about 2 minutes. Put them into a bowl with the raisins and cover them with hot water. Soak until softened, about 30 minutes. In the same skillet over medium heat, add the almonds, sesame seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, oregano, and thyme. Toast for 2 minutes, grind in a spice grinder, and add the powder to a blender.

In the same skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, onions, garlic, and serrano. Cook until lightly browned, then add the tomatoes. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 10 to 15 minutes, then add to the blender. Add the chocolate and the soaked chiles and raisins to the blender along with some of the chile soaking liquid. Puree, adding more soaking liquid, as needed, to make a smooth sauce. (This makes about 4 cups sauce, the recipe uses 2 cups, the extra can be frozen).

Pour the lemon juice over the turkey in a large bowl and season it well with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet and brown the turkey on all sides Transfer the browned turkey to a plate, leaving the oil in the pan. Pour 2 cups of the mole sauce into the hot skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and return the turkey pieces to the pan. Simmer, covered, until the turkey is cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the onion and radish slices into a serving bowl. Add the lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt, to taste. Mix well and sprinkle with the cheese.

Serve the turkey over cooked white rice and avocado, cilantro, onion and radish salad. Garnish everything with cilantro leaves.

Serves 4 to 6

Note: For perfect white rice, 2:1 ratio of water to rice.