Pork in Red Pipián Sauce

History & Origin

Red pipián is one of the oldest moles in Mexican gastronomy and represents the perfect confluence of pre-Hispanic cuisine and ingredients brought by the Spanish colonisation. Pumpkin seeds, called "pepian" in Nahuatl, were used by the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples as a base for thick sauces long before the Spanish arrived. The red colour comes from chillies and annatto, indigenous ingredients of the American tropics. Unlike black mole which requires dozens of ingredients and days of preparation, red pipián is relatively accessible while maintaining all the flavour complexity that characterises high Mexican cuisine. The seeds are toasted to a golden colour and ground with hydrated chillies, creating a base paste that when cooked in broth develops a silky-textured, deep-flavoured sauce. In the central and southern states of Mexico - Puebla, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Mexico State - each region has its version of pipián. In Puebla, mulato and ancho chilli are primarily used; in Oaxaca, hierba santa is added; in Guerrero, ancho chilli dominates. The constant is the pumpkin seed as the main ingredient that gives the sauce body and characteristic flavour. Pork in red pipián is a perfect preparation for special occasions and family gatherings. It is traditionally served with white rice and pot beans, accompanied by freshly made tortillas to mop up the rich sauce.