Dip into Beans and Molé BY DANA JACOBI FOR THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Most Americans are unfamiliar with authentic Mexican molé sauce. While some may recognize it as "that sauce with chocolate in it," only aficionados of true Mexican cooking know the subtleties of a great molé.

In general, we think of molé as a sauce or family of sauces. But this assumption has been hotly debated. As Ricky Bayless, a well-known Mexican chef explains, a sauce is rarely used as just a coating or an accessory in Mexican cooking. This is particularly true for stew-like dishes such as molé poblano, the version of molé that includes chocolate and is frequently combined with poultry. Dishes like this rely on the so-called sauce as the base of the meal, providing its essence as well as its glory.

The intense molé sauces come in a rainbow of colors ranging from tomatillo-green to earthy, chile red and almost black. The most famous versions are the seven moles of Oaxaca, including my favorite, molé negro. The flavor of these molés is imparted by a long list of ingredients that can include: chile peppers and spices, raisins or other fruit, tomatoes and tomatillos, toasted bread or a torn-up tortilla. A variety of nuts and seeds like pumpkin and sesame add thickness and richness to molés.

With a long list of fresh ingredients and techniques that include roasting, soaking and pureeing, it’s clear why mole is primarily reserved for holiday celebrations. To speed the prep time in Mexico, outdoor markets sell pastes to use as the base for various versions.

Yet the flavors of molé are so seductive that I constantly look to enjoy them in easier ways. This warm bean dip, which blends several mole ingredients with creamy, pureed pinto beans, gives a hint of molé’s pleasures. Pair with torn whole-wheat tortillas or low fat, baked corn chips.

Warm Molé Bean Dip - Makes 8 servings.

• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup mild, medium or hot chunky salsa
• 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces), shredded, reduced-fat Jack cheese
• One (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tsp. canola oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. dried oregano

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9" pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.

In a food processor, whirl beans until pureed but still slightly lumpy. Scoop beans into a mixing bowl and set aside.

In medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and jalapeno until onion is soft, 5 minutes. Add chili powder, cocoa, cumin, and oregano, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Mix in tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add contents of the pan to the pureed beans.

Add tomato, salsa, cilantro and salt, to beans and mix to combine all ingredients. Spread bean mixture in an even layer in the prepared pan. Sprinkle cheese over the top.

Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and beans are heated through, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately, accompanied by a bowl of baked tortilla chips.

Per serving: 100 calories, 3.5 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 11 g carbohydrates, 5 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 370 mg sodium.

"Something Different" is written for the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) by Dana Jacobi, author of The Joy of Soy and recipe creator for AICR's Stopping Cancer Before It Starts.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) offers a Nutrition Hotline online at www.aicr.org or via phone 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, MondayFriday, at 1-800-843-8114. This free service allows you to ask questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. A registered dietitian will respond to your email or call, usually within 3 business days. AICR is the only major cancer charity focusing exclusively on how the risk of cancer is reduced by healthy food and nutrition, physical activity and weight management. The Institute’s education programs help millions of Americans lower their cancer risk. AICR also supports innovative research in cancer prevention and treatment at universities, hospitals and research centers across the U.S. Over $86 million in funding has been provided. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.

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