Nopales Guisados Sauteed Cactus Food

SAUTEED NOPALES

Steps:

• If cactus paddles still have thorns, grasp with a gloved hand or pair of tongs and shave with a sharp knife (be sure to peel just the thorns). Rinse under cold water.
• To cut nopales, hold paddle in your hand and shave off 2-inch-long slivers with a knife, turning paddle every few cuts so that pieces remain uniform.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add nopales and half of the chopped onions. Boil briskly for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse in 2 changes of cold water.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, cook remaining onion with the garlic in the oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Add nopales, tomatoes, and chiles, season with salt, and cook for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in cilantro and remove from heat. Serve hot or at room temperature.

NOPALES ASADOS

Steps:

• Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Meanwhile rinse and pat dry the cactus paddles.
• Brush with the olive oil on both sides.
• Sprinkle with salt on both sides.
• Place on the grill and cook for 5 minutes.
• Turn and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• If using the top rack of the grill, the cactus will need more time to cook.

GUISADO DE NOPALES - CACTUS PADDLE STEW

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
• Trim off spines and damaged bits, clean and wash the cactus.
• Cut each paddle into half-inch squares.
• Drop the cactus pieces into the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes; drain.
• Trim stem ends of the tomatoes and cut the tomatoes into quarters.
• Place them in a blender container with the onion and one-fourth cup water.
• Whirl until thoroughly blended.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan.
• Add the tomato mixture, epazote, chicken base and salt.
• Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered about 10 minutes.
• Add the cactus squares and the remaining one-fourth cup water.
• Bring to a boil and simmer gently, uncovered, 5 minutes.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, thin with a little water.

BEEF STEW WITH CACTUS - CARNE GUISADA CON NOPALITOS

Steps:

• Trim off the glochids and spines from two paddles of prickly pear cactus.
• Cut into 1/2 inch dice and cook in boiling salted water until the color changes to olive green.
• Drain and set to the side.
• Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to the boil; add the chiles and cook for about ten minutes or until fork tender.
• Drain well and remove the stems.
• Whirl in a blender and filter through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer to remove seeds; set to the side.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
• Add oil and sautee the onion until transparent.
• Add the meat and brown well, taking care not to scorch the onions.
• Add the salt, pepper, chile puree, garlic, tomato and about one cup of water.
• Cover and simmer lightly for about 30 minutes, or until tender (check towards the end of the cooking time to see if you need more liquid). If meat isn't tender, you may need to cook for another 15 minutes or so.
• Add the cooked nopalitos and stir well.
• Serve while hot.