The Food Network Magazine is promoting a contest to submit a recipe using their secret ingredient…Chocolate Chips! I’ve never entered a magazine contest before, but I figured what the heck? Now, what should I make? I’m not much of a baker so a cake or cookies were not something that came to mind. And then it hit me! Give a Mexican girl chocolate and she’ll whip up Chicken Mole. Mole is one of my all time favorite comfort foods and I was very excited to try my recipe using their secret ingredient.

Tonight was the night I played “Iron Chef” in our kitchen and made some Chicken Mole. Normally I use cocoa and Abuelita chocolate in my mole recipe, but this time I used their secret ingredient and added cinnamon to give it a Mexican chocolate flavor. I was ready to snap a picture of it but decided it was not very attractive and so I dressed it up by turning them into rolled enchiladas. After rolling the enchiladas I sprinkled them with queso fresco and wallah; they looked so purdy.

As they baked in the oven I was a tad nervous because this was my first attempt at making mole into enchiladas. Growing up we ate chicken mole, but never as enchiladas. Once I took them out of the oven, the melted cheese made me smile, the rich aroma filled the air, and my nervousness was gone. I was so proud carrying my pretty little turquoise casserole dish to the table.

Everyone at the kitchen table was waiting nervously — You have to admit that chocolate chips in an entrée is something to be a little nervous about. We took our first bite and heavens doors opened. I hate to brag, BUT, they turned out freakin’ awesome (if I do say so myself)! I was self-high-fivin’ myself as we ate. My mother-in-law who is quite the Betty Crocker said, “WOW, these are pretty good.” That’s a HUGE compliment coming from Good Ol’ Dottie!

I will definitely be adding this recipe to my cookbook! Now all I need to do is submit my recipe to the magazine, sit back, and wait to hear if they think my dish is unique enough to win. Wish me luck!!!