Mexican Recipes for the Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead is a celebration of pre-Hispanic origin. It is celebrated at the beginning of November, but it is said that as early as October 28th, the spirits of the deceased begin to interact with the world of the living. All Saints’ Day is dedicated to children, and All Souls’ Day to adults, corresponding to November 1st and 2nd of each year, respectively.

For any Mexican, this is a special date. It’s a time to remember the departed and pay tribute to them. In fact, altars are created with photographs and offerings for the deceased. Besides the traditional «pan de muerto» (bread of the dead), there are other gastronomic delights for these days. Here are two of the most popular recipes for the Day of the Dead.

Chicken with Poblano Mole

Ingredients: 

• 10 mulato chilies, 4 pasilla chilies, and 8 deseeded ancho chilies
• 2 spoons of Olive oil from Spain 
• 1/4 cup of raisins
• 1/4 cup of almonds
• 1/4 cup of peanuts
• 1/2 tortilla, broken into pieces 
• 2 cloves and a pinch of cinnamon 
• 4 whole black peppercorns 
• 1/2 tablespoon of anise 
• 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds 
• 8 pieces of chicken 
• 2 roasted tomatoes 
• 1 chipotle chili 
• 1/2 liter of chicken broth 
• Salt to taste 
• 1 onion 
• 2 garlic cloves 
• 1 cup of Poblano mole sauce 
• 1/2 tablet of chocolate

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, add 2 spoons of Spanish olive oil to fry all the chilies, except for the chipotle. Remove from heat when the chilies are lightly golden.
2. In the same skillet, sauté the raisins, almonds, peanuts, tortilla, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns. Then, remove and add them to the chilies.
3. Now, lightly toast the anise and sesame seeds, and add them to the mixture. Blend everything and return it to the heat.
4. Meanwhile, fry the chicken pieces in Spanish olive oil until they are golden brown.
5. Blend the roasted tomatoes and the chipotle. Then, add the resulting mixture to the chicken. After a few minutes, add half of the chicken broth and a pinch of salt.
6. Dissolve the mole sauce in the other half of the chicken broth. Heat it and add the chocolate, ensuring it dissolves completely.
7. To finish, pour it over the chicken and return everything to the heat to thicken.

Potosinas Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• Half a chopped onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 chicken breast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 tomatoes
• 4 chilies
• 1 cup of cilantro
• 6 corn tortillas
• 2 spoons of Olive oil from Spain
• 150 grams of fresh cheese

Instructions:

1. The first step is to sauté the onion and two cloves of garlic in Spanish olive oil over low heat.
2. Then, add the chicken, pepper, and salt, and let it cook for a few minutes. Set aside.
3. Boil the tomatoes, chilies, the remaining garlic, and onion in water until the tomatoes change color.
4. On the other hand, blend the cilantro. Then, sauté the sauce with salt and pepper until it boils.
5. Brown the tortillas in Spanish olive oil. Now, add the chicken and fold the tortilla to cover it.
6. Pour the result with the sauce. Add cheese, onion, and cilantro. And you would finish with one of the best Mexican recipes for the Day of the Dead.

In our recipe collection, you can find other delicious Mexican recipes to celebrate this day, such as beef burritos, Creole prawn tacos, chiles en nogada, or corn cake.