Grand Central Market is one of the true hallmarks of downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1917, it brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. Without a doubt, it has something for everyone. You can get all kinds of foods: eggs, tacos, oysters, ice cream AND they also sell produce. I love the mixture of old and new at the market and the energy in the big indoor/outdoor space is very unique in Los Angeles. Grand Central Market is one of my favorite stops after seeing a show at the Broad or Disney Hall as it’s just a short walk away.
One of the grocery stands I love in the market is Chiles Secos. It is a fantastic Latin grocery which sells a selection of imported molés, dried beans, rice, nuts, grains, and other specialty products. My favorite thing about Chiles Secos is the variety of prepared moles they sell. Making molés is labor intensive and requires a large number of ingredients, so if you find a great prepared mole, buy some!
Chiles Secos molés are fantastic. A little goes a long way and they’ll keep in your refrigerator for months. Reconstitute the molé with a little chicken stock, add some shredded chicken, simmer and you have a perfect taco filling! My favorite is the green molé, but this time I went with a deep red variety.
Reconstitute mole with chicken stock
Chicken Mole Taco
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
1 heaped tablespoon mole
1/2 cup shredded chicken
1/2 -1 cup chicken stock
sliver of butter
4 small flour or corn tortillas (mini size)
Optional Garnish
pickled onions
shredded cheese
sour cream
Instructions
Put the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the mole to the pan. When it begins to sizzle add 1/2 cup chicken stock.
After the mole begins to reconstitute, add the chicken until it is warmed through. Add more chicken stock if necessary. You want the chicken to be coated in sauce but not soupy.
Heat some tortillas over a low flame on the stove. Put cheese on the tortilla, add chicken and garnish.
If you’re downtown, a stop at Grand Central Market is an absolute must!
Grand Central Market is open from 8am-10pm seven days a week
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
