Baked Prickly Pears Food

PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITA

Steps:

• For the cocktail: Combine the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave, prickly pear syrup and chile flakes in a cocktail shaker and incorporate all the ingredients by shaking it to your own rhythm.
• For the garnish: Pour some lime juice on a saucer. Mix together the sugar and salt on a separate saucer. Dip the rim of a 10-ounce glass into the lime juice and then dip the rim into the sugar and pink salt mixture. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the cocktail and garnish with prickly pear, if using, and a lime slice.
• Holding each prickly pear with metal tongs, lightly graze the fruit with a flame until the glochids (thorns) are singed off. Place the fruit in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, cover and let sit off the heat for 25 to 35 minutes.
• Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth. Strain the liquid through it into a medium heatproof bowl, mashing the fruit with a spoon until all the fruit is mashed.
• Pour the contents of the bowl into the same saucepan and discard the solids; stir in the sugar, bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the lime zest and juice. Let simmer about 15 more minutes; remove from the heat, let cool and refrigerate.

PRICKLY PEAR COOLERS

Steps:

• Halve 2 pounds prickly pears (about 8) lengthwise, scoop out the flesh and chop. Mix with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan; let sit until juicy, 5 minutes. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mash the fruit and let sit 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and refrigerate the syrup until cool, 1 hour. Combine the cooled syrup, 1 1/2 cups tequila, 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 cups cold seltzer. Serve over ice.

BAKED PRICKLY PEARS

Steps:

• Gather large ripe fruit.
• Wash and slit to remove seeds.
• Preheat oven to 325- 350 degrees.
• Spread fruits in a sigle layer in a buttered 8 inch pan.
• Combine sugar, cinnamon, and butter and mix well with fingers.
• Add lemon juice and stir well with a spoon.
• Sprinkle mixture evenly over fruits.
• Bake 30- 35 minutes and serve warm with cream.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Steps:

• 1. For a sweeter taste use sugar instead of the salt and pepper.
• 2. Combine oil, salt/pepper or sugar
• 3. Place the cacti pads on the grill or BBQ for 10 minutes on each side. While on the grill/BBQ brush each side of the cactus pad with the oil mixture. Serve straight away.

BAKED PEARS

Steps:

• Core pears but do not peel.
• Place in greased 9" square pan.
• Combine oats, sugar, spices and butter until crumbly.
• Stuff pears letting excess fall into pan.
• Pour 3/4 cup apple juice into pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, basting after 30 minutes. Add more juice if necessary.
• Cool 30 minutes before serving.