(maan·cha·maan·telays)
Manchamanteles Mole Starter celebrates the authentic flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mildly tangy pineapple adds sweetness to this traditional spicy and complex sauce that delivers an unforgettable flavor to your favorite chicken and pork dishes.

Manchamanteles mole is named after its signature color, a deep red that is quite literally a “tablecloth stainer.” Mole sauces are found throughout Central Mexico, and both the states of Oaxaca and Puebla claim this sauce as their own. It’s made by combining tomatoes with fruits like plantains and pineapples for a hint of sweetness, along with dried chiles and warm spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The term “mole” comes from the indigenous Nahuatl word “molli,” which roughly translates to “sauce or mixture.” Each ingredient is roasted or cooked in a frying pan to draw out the flavor and then blended together for a silky-smooth texture. Depending on the desired flavor development, some mole sauces can take hours or even days to prepare. While the origins of mole sauce are certainly debated, you can find hints of Spanish culinary traditions, indigenous Mexican culinary practices, and more contemporary flavor combinations in Mexico’s dozens of mole variations.

Curious Spoon’s Manchamanteles Mole Starter is crafted to bring the spicy and sweet flavors of Oaxaca to your home kitchen, using almonds to thicken the sauce and add a rich flavor. Simply rehydrate the sauce starter with water and simmer on the stove until it reaches the desired consistency. Serve the sauce over chicken or with empanadas in place of a more traditional salsa.

Spices, Tomato, Pumpkin powder, Almonds, Onion, Natural flavors, Apple powder, Pineapple juice powder (Pineapple, maltodextrin, corn starch), Coconut sap sugar, Salt, Garlic, Contains 2% or less of Sunflower oil, Cellulose, Tartaric acid, Gum acacia, Xanthan gum. Contains: Tree Nuts.

Combine 1 cup water with contents of packet and bring to a simmer.