Out of the many cuisines available, Mexican cuisine stands out as one the most popular and favourite cuisines of the people. There are various components of this cuisine that make it so amazing.
And one of these major components is the different types of sauces used. Tomatillo and Mole are two such sauces.
Key Takeaways
- Tomatillo is a green fruit used to make sauces, while Mole sauce is a Mexican sauce made with chilli peppers and chocolate.
- Tomatillo sauce has a tart flavor, while Mole sauce has a complex and rich flavor with hints of sweetness and spiciness.
- Tomatillo sauce is used in Mexican cuisine to complement enchiladas and tacos. In contrast, Mole sauce is a main ingredient in dishes such as chicken mole and enchiladas mole.
Tomatillo vs Mole Sauce
Tomatillo is a fruit that resembles a green tomato and is used to make salsa verde, a tangy and sweet sauce made from tomatillos, chilli peppers, onions, and other seasonings. Mole sauce is a complex sauce made from a combination of ingredients, including chilli peppers, nuts, spices, and chocolate.
The tomatillo sauce is a type of Mexican sauce used in various Mexican dishes. It is made with green tomatoes with a husk covering called Tomatillos.
It also has other ingredients like peppers, onions, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, oils, and salt. This sauce is quite easy to make and does not take much time.
Mole sauce is another type of Mexican sauce popularly used in Mexican dishes. It is made with lots of chilli peppers, black pepper, cinnamon, nuts, spices, cumin, salt, and even chocolate.
This sauce is complex in nature and is very difficult to make. This lasts for about three to four months.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Tomatillo Sauce | Mole Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredient | The main ingredient is the tomatillo. It appears to be a green tomato with a husk covering. | There is no main ingredient as such, and it is a complex sauce. |
| Other ingredients | Other ingredients include jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, medium red onion, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro, lime juice, cumin, salt, and some oils. | The ingredients include fruits, nuts, chilli pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin. |
| Time | The general preparation time is 20-25 mins. | The general preparation time if making from scratch takes about one hour. |
| Shelf life | If it is covered in a refrigerator, it lasts for about 1 week or else 3 days. | If stored as Mole paste in refrigerator paste, it lasts for about 4 months in the refrigerator. |
| Consistency | It has a creamy consistency. | It has a thick and gravy-like consistency. |
What is Tomatillo Sauce?
Tomatillo Sauce refers to sauce primarily made from Tomatillos. Tomatillos look similar to tomatoes, only smaller with green colour and husk covering.
They are pronounced as”toe-mah-TEE-yo”. It is a popular type of salsa.
There are mainly two types: red tomato salsa and salsa verde, made of tomatillos. Most people even call them Green tomatoes.
However, they are not from the family genus of tomatoes. The Salsa verde or tomatillo sauce, in general, is very easy to make, even from scratch.
Typically the preparation time takes 10 minutes and the cooking time 15 minutes. Hence, the total time required is 25 minutes.
Firstly the tomatillos need to be washed. Following that, they should be baked in the oven, cooked on the stove, or boiled.
For more flavour, baking or roasting is preferred. However, boiling the tomatillos is the most common method.
In the next step, these tomatillos should be blended in a blender or food processor along with other ingredients like lime juice, onions, garlic, cilantro, and chilli peppers. It suggested that these ingredients must be finely chopped for a better sauce.
Last but not least, salt should be added according to the preference of the individual. This sauce can be used in tortillas, burritos, enchiladas, or even for dipping chips.
What is Mole Sauce?
Mole Sauce refers to a sauce that is primarily made from chilli peppers, spices, and nuts. The spices include black peppers, cinnamon, and cumin.
It is popularly used in many Mexican dishes. The preparation time takes about 20 minutes.
The cooking time takes 30 minutes. Also, the additional time taken is 10 minutes.
Hence, the total time taken to prepare mole sauce is 60 minutes/ one hour. In some cases, the mole sauce can be made in 20 minutes also.
For the 20 minutes of sauce first, the onions must be chopped and sauteed.
Later, garlic and jalapeño should be added. After that, in the next step, dry seasonings and flour should be added.
One needs to make sure that the dry seasonings and flour are correctly measured. After stirring the warm mixture for a while, the additional veggies should be added.
The mixture needs to be cooled down a bit before blending. The mixture then needs to be blended in a blender or a food processor.
This blended mixture should be whisked properly. Additional ingredients and salt should be added according to the preference.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator and used for 3 to 4 months.
Main Differences Between Tomatillo and Mole Sauce
- The main ingredient in tomatillo sauce is the tomatillo. It appears to be a green tomato with a husk covering. In mole sauce, there is no main ingredient as such, and it is a complex sauce.
- Other ingredients in tomatillo sauce include jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, medium red onion, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro, lime juice, cumin, Salt, and some oils. The ingredients in mole sauce include fruits, nuts, chilli pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin.
- The general preparation time for tomatillo sauce is 20-25 mins. The general preparation time for mole sauce made from scratch takes about one hour.
- If tomatillo sauce is covered in a refrigerator, it lasts for about 1 week or else 3 days. If mole sauce is stored as Mole paste in the refrigerator paste, it lasts for about 4 months in the refrigerator.
- Tomatillo sauce has a creamy consistency. Mole sauce has a thick and gravy-like consistency.
- http://www.milagrosrc.com/s/menu_party_takeout.pdf
- https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0101-20612014000200023&script=sci_abstract&tlng=es
Last Updated : 14 October, 2023
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The article offers valuable insights into the preparation and uses of tomatillo and mole sauces in Mexican cuisine. The comparison table is particularly helpful in understanding the key differences between these sauces.
I agree, James. The comparison table provides a comprehensive overview of the main ingredients, preparation time, shelf life, and consistency of tomatillo and mole sauces.
The details about the preparation of mole sauce are fascinating. It’s interesting to know about the different steps involved in creating the complex flavors of mole sauce.
The details about tomatillo sauce and its preparation process are well-explained. It’s also fascinating to learn that tomatillos are not from the tomato family, and the preparation of tomatillo sauce takes about 25 minutes. The information is very informative.
I agree, Anna. The article provides insightful details about tomatillo sauce and its versatility in various Mexican dishes.
The comparison table provided in the article offers a comprehensive overview of the differences between tomatillo and mole sauces. It’s helpful to know the main ingredients, preparation time, shelf life, and consistency of each sauce.
Both the tomatillo and mole sauces are essential components of Mexican cuisine. The tomatillo sauce offers a tangy and sweet flavor, while the mole sauce provides a complex and rich flavor with hints of sweetness and spiciness. It’s interesting to note that the tomatillo sauce has a creamy consistency, while the mole sauce has a thick and gravy-like consistency.
I find it fascinating how the tomatillo sauce can be made easily from scratch, taking only about 25 minutes, while the mole sauce is much more complex and time-consuming to prepare.
I agree with you, Murphy. I appreciate the detailed comparison table provided in the article. It gives a clear understanding of the differences between tomatillo and mole sauces.
The detailed descriptions of tomatillo and mole sauces in the article are highly informative. It’s intriguing to learn about the use of various ingredients in creating these flavorful Mexican sauces.
The information about the time required to prepare tomatillo and mole sauces is enlightening. It’s interesting to know about the differences in the preparation processes for these sauces.
I agree, Tony. The article provides valuable insights into the ingredients and preparation methods of tomatillo and mole sauces, offering a deeper understanding of Mexican cuisine.
The article provides a clear distinction between tomatillo and mole sauces, highlighting their main ingredients, preparation time, and consistency. The details about the preparation processes of these sauces are very informative.
The complexity of making mole sauce is evident from the article. It’s intriguing to learn about the various spices and nuts that are used in creating the rich flavor of mole sauce.
I found the detailed comparison of the tomatillo and mole sauces to be very educational. The article explains the nuances of these sauces and their uses in Mexican cuisine.
The article does a great job of explaining the characteristics and uses of tomatillo and mole sauces in Mexican cuisine. The detailed comparison table provides a comprehensive overview of the unique features of these sauces.
I found the detailed comparison of tomatillo and mole sauces to be very informative. It’s evident that tomatillo sauce has a shorter shelf life compared to mole sauce.
The information about the preparation of tomatillo and mole sauces is insightful. The article effectively highlights the key differences between these flavorful Mexican sauces.
The article does a great job of explaining the ingredients and preparation process of tomatillo and mole sauces. It’s clear that tomatillo sauce is a type of salsa verde, and mole sauce is a complex combination of ingredients including chocolate.
I appreciate the detailed description of the tomatillo and mole sauces. It’s interesting to know that tomatillo sauce is used in dishes like enchiladas and tacos, while mole sauce is a main ingredient in chicken mole and enchiladas mole. The versatility of these sauces is remarkable.
The article presents a thorough comparison between tomatillo and mole sauces, covering their main ingredients, preparation time, shelf life, and consistency. The details provided are highly informative.
The distinction in consistency between tomatillo sauce and mole sauce is well-explained in the article. The comparison table effectively summarizes the key differences between these sauces.
I found the information about the shelf life of tomatillo and mole sauces to be particularly insightful. It’s helpful to know how long these sauces can be stored if refrigerated.