Mole Tofu Tacos

tofu, mole, diet dessert and dogs, ricki heller, mexican, vegetarian mexican recipes, vegan mexican recipes, tofu tacos, mole tacos

I used to be scared of mole.

Not because it’s brown and goopy looking. Not because mole means chocolate mingling with meat (or in this case, tofu, but we’ll get there.) And not because I didn’t know how to pronounce it (after 7 years of Spanish classes and acing the AP exam, I think I can handle that.)

Nope. I was just scared because rumor has it that a real, authentic mole takes hours and hours (and a few crazy ingredient) to make. I’m lucky to have just one hour. And luckier if that one hour results in multiple nights of dinners that can be put on the table in five minutes. Fortunately this mole meets those requirements.

And can I just say? It’s good. No, like, really good. Like, I wasn’t just willing to eat it three weeks in a row, I was almost sad to wait a whole seven days. I think one time we went four days, and even that was too many. Too many days of drooling as I dreamed about this rich, sweet and spicy sauce, holding chunks of chewy baked tofu, wrapped in sweet corn tortillas and crowned with creamy avocado.

Can I borrow your sleeve to wipe my keyboard?

For real. The first time I made this sauce, I used it to smother chicken wings. For a football game. (Which game? Let’s not go there.) But there was no way I was waiting till next season to eat it again. That’s when I saw an old recipe from my friend Ricki resurface, a recipe for mole tofu. And then I knew. Mole tofu tacos!

It’s true, tacos are pretty much my answer to everything. But it’s a great answer and I’ll take it. Tonight, tomorrow, and the next one, por favor.

tofu, mole, diet dessert and dogs, ricki heller, mexican, vegetarian mexican recipes, vegan mexican recipes, tofu tacos, mole tacos

PrintPrint SaveSave

Mole Tofu Tacos

Yield: 6 servings

Cubes of tofu simmered in a rich sweet and spicy sauce flavored with cocoa and peanut butter. This recipe makes a lot, so be sure to freeze extra portions for a quick and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

2 14oz packages firm tofu
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cup chopped onion)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon molasses
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 tablespoons all-natural creamy peanut butter
2 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
3 oz tomato paste
3 dates
1/2 teaspoon salt

For serving: corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, avocado, chopped cilantro

Directions:

Preheat oven to 475ยบF. Spray two 9x13" glass baking dishes with olive or coconut oil cooking spray. Dice the tofu into 1/2" cubes and arrange in the baking dishes; spray the tofu with more cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes, turning 3-4 times, until lightly browned on all sides. Remove from oven.

Meanwhile, heat coconut oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Saute the onions for about 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, chipotle pepper, cumin and coriander. Cook for 1-2 minutes more, stirring.

Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and puree the sauce, either using an immersion blender or by transferring to a blender or food processor.

Return to pot and add the cooked tofu. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until sauce thickens.

Nutrition Facts:

Amount Per Serving (Tofu only, does not include accompaniments)
Calories 226.1
Total Fat 10.0 g
Saturated Fat 2.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.3 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 281.0 mg
Potassium 133.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate 17.4 g
Dietary Fiber 3.9 g
Sugars 6.1 g
Protein 14.9 g

Cara Lyons, www.carascravings.com. Mole sauce adapted from Cooking Traditional Foods.

This recipe is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays.

  Pin It

35 Responses to “Mole Tofu Tacos”

  1. 1

    Dawn — March 6, 2012 @ 5:57 am Reply

    Oh baby…I pinned that faster than you can say MOLE!

  2. 2

    Nisrine M. — March 6, 2012 @ 6:29 am Reply

    I’ve never had tofu but you certainly make it look amazing. With this delicious looking recipe, I do want to try it.

  3. 3

    janet @ the taste space — March 6, 2012 @ 7:54 am Reply

    Oh yeah, Ricki made her riff off of my version (full credit to Denis Cotter btw). Yours looks super delicious. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. 4

    Emily @ A Cambridge Story — March 6, 2012 @ 10:01 am Reply

    I’m a little scared on mole myself… but these tacos looks incredible!

  5. 5

    Shannon — March 6, 2012 @ 10:36 am Reply

    we saw tubes of mole in supermarkets in mexico… it looked a little scary. this, however, looks like something i’d love to try ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. 6

    Matt @ FaveDiets — March 6, 2012 @ 10:46 am Reply

    This looks so unbelievably good! I’ve been wanting to make my own vegetarian mole sauce for a while now, so I will definitely be saving this recipe for later.

  7. 7

    Jenn Cullen — March 6, 2012 @ 11:36 am Reply

    This looks great! Can’t wait to try it. I’ve been too scared to make mole, too!

  8. 8

    Danielle — March 6, 2012 @ 12:11 pm Reply

    I haven’t made mole for the same reason, this looks so quick and easy will try soon! Thanks!!

  9. 9

    Colleen @ Culinary Colleen — March 6, 2012 @ 1:15 pm Reply

    Oh wow, these look fantastic! My boyfriend is a vegetarian but I am not, so I’m always looking for recipes that we both can enjoy.

  10. 10

    Cara — March 6, 2012 @ 1:18 pm Reply

    Thanks Colleen! Neither of us are vegetarians and we both love these, so I think they’re a great bet ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. 11

    Dena @ 40 Fit in the Mitt — March 6, 2012 @ 2:33 pm Reply

    That looks so delicious! I’m nutty for Mole!

  12. 12

    Ricki — March 6, 2012 @ 5:07 pm Reply

    Oh, my goodness, these look amazing! And I just happen to have a jar of chipotles in adobo that I didn’t know what to do with. . . now I do! ๐Ÿ˜€

  13. 13

    Joanne — March 6, 2012 @ 8:43 pm Reply

    I am SUCH a mole lover. I would eat it constantly if I could. That whole million hours over the stove scares me too, though. Thank god it’s not REALLY necessary! Love the idea of mole tofu tacos…so much FLAVOR.

  14. 14

    Jade — March 7, 2012 @ 3:23 am Reply

    wow you always amaze me with your work, very impressive.

  15. 15

    NIcole, RD — March 7, 2012 @ 9:34 am Reply

    I would love these, I just know it. Tofu is my favorite vegetarian protein, for sure…and anything taco I adore. The mole is just a bonus!

  16. 16

    Kate — March 7, 2012 @ 10:01 am Reply

    I’ve only made mole once – because it did take hours!

  17. 17

    Maria @ Maids — March 8, 2012 @ 1:42 am Reply

    I really need it now for our dinner for tonight.
    Taking the recipe now, added to my list hihi….

  18. 18

    Julia — March 8, 2012 @ 12:14 pm Reply

    This recipe is speaking right to my heart. And tastebuds. And stomach. It’s telling me that every cell in my body needs me some mole tofu tacos, immediately!

  19. 19

    Lexie — March 9, 2012 @ 12:05 am Reply

    LOVE tofu, LOVE mole!!!

  20. 20

    Christine — March 10, 2012 @ 8:14 am Reply

    Cannot.wait.to.try.these!!!! Thank so much! I’m on a constant quest to find veg-head friendly food that will fill my hubby up! Thank you so much! ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. 21

    Amelia — March 12, 2012 @ 12:54 pm Reply

    These look incredible! I actually work for a company that sells an authentic, 3rd generation family recipe of mole that takes 11 hours to cook and 18 ingredients to make. It is really yummy, especially on tofu. I’ll have to give it a go on tacos! Thanks for the idea. ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. 22

    Heather — March 12, 2012 @ 7:54 pm Reply

    This looks amazing, such a good idea! I loved the idea of a mole that didn’t take hours and used tofu, which I always have on hand. I was so excited to make it, but I feel like I did something wrong…it doesn’t taste good at all:(

    • 22.1

      Cara — March 12, 2012 @ 7:56 pm

      Sorry to hear that, Heather. Did you make any substitutions? I have served this to friends too who really liked it, so I know it’s not just me!

  23. 23

    Richa@HobbyandMore — March 13, 2012 @ 12:41 am Reply

    The tacos with that incredibly saucy tofu, look gorgeous!

  24. 24

    katie — March 13, 2012 @ 9:55 am Reply

    WOw these look amazing and I can only imagine the flavors are out of this world. Just pinned this recipe to try for a later date!

  25. 25

    Marci — March 27, 2012 @ 10:58 pm Reply

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! The sauce was great (but mole can be a new flavor combo) and would be good on veggies, chicken, ground turkey etc. I loved the tofu though.

    • 25.1

      Cara — March 28, 2012 @ 3:07 pm

      glad you liked it!

  26. 26

    Cynthia S. — June 14, 2012 @ 8:52 pm Reply

    YUM! I just finished eating two of these! I melted some brie on top and it was such a great balance of sweet and spicy, hot and creamy!

    • 26.1

      Cara — June 15, 2012 @ 11:11 am

      Interesting combo, I wouldn’t have thought of it! Glad you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. 27

    Britni — July 18, 2012 @ 5:31 pm Reply

    Last night was the second time I have made these tacos (obviously they are delicious) and I unexpectedly had a friend stop by who not only doesn’t like tofu, but also doesn’t like mole sauce….or so she thought. She was raving about these tacos! Thanks for the great recipe =)

    • 27.1

      Cara — July 18, 2012 @ 5:35 pm

      Aww, thanks Britni, so glad you (and your friend) liked it!

  28. 28

    Zach — March 11, 2013 @ 12:46 am Reply

    Leave out the peanut butter….It takes over the dish, and not in a good traditional mole way. Double the tomato paste and increase the molasses by a tbsp.

  29. Pingback: Curried Tofu Scramble Tacos - Joanne Eats Well With Others

  30. Pingback: Labor Daying with Choc, Veg & Fru - Cupid Alley Chocolatieres

  31. 29

    Donna — May 5, 2020 @ 9:06 am Reply

    Even with tofu, these look authentic! I can’t wait to try them

Leave a Reply to Lexie