Rachel Laudan

Thanks to all who have brought mole poblano and the medieval Mediterranean up again and for the clarifying comments.
Here are my thoughts on what I take to be Tim’s three main worries.
Worry 1. Since many families in rural Mexico have their own mole traditions, since these families often tend to the indigenous end of the [...]

Back to the Mexican dishes called moles.  Confusion reigns.  Often when talking about mole, people mean mole poblano, the rich reddish sauce of spices (including chocolate), chiles, tortillas that is made in the city of Puebla.  Sometimes they mean the famous seven moles of Oaxaca.  Sometimes they include moles made all across Mexico.  But do [...]

One objection that comes up time and again when people discuss my theory about the Islamic origins of mole poblano is this: how come, if mole was introduced by the Spaniards, it is now the celebration dish in small villages all over Mexico?
Perfectly good question. And I think there is an answer to this [...]