Jalapeño White Cheddar Cactus Huaraches Recipes

JALAPENO CHEDDAR CRACKERS

Steps:

• Place the flour, kosher salt and baking powder in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the Cheddar, jalapeno and chipotle chili powder and pulse again. With the food processor running, add the ice water all at once. Continue pulsing until the mixture begins to form a ball. Dump the dough onto a floured board and roll it into a 14-inch log. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Cut the dough in 3/8-inch-thick slices. Place the crackers on the prepared sheet pan, brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the fleur de sel. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

HUARACHE A LA MEXICANA

Steps:

• Combine the masa harina, all-purpose flour and water in a large bowl and stir until a smooth dough forms. Knead in the bowl until very smooth but not sticky, about 2 minutes.
• Form the dough into 12 equal portions and push a small hole into each. Insert 1 tablespoon of Refried Beans into each of the holes and seal to cover the filling. Roll into 12-inch oblong shapes.
• For each huarache: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a huarache and cook until blackened in spots, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side for another 3 minutes; remove from the skillet. Spread 8 ounces of cheese onto the skillet and immediately place the huarache on top of the cheese, lightly pressing down. Flip the huarache (the cheese should stick) and then remove to a plate.
• Mix together the cumin, ground garlic, black pepper, bitter orange juice seasoning and some all-purpose seasoning in a bowl. Transfer to a salt shaker.
• Return the skillet to high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. Season 8 ounces of sliced steak with the spice mixture and add to the skillet. Cook, turning once, until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Place on top of the huarache.
• Place a cactus paddle on a cutting board and make shallow incisions into it, stopping just before the core so the paddle remains whole. Heat a tablespoon of oil in the skillet and add the cactus paddle and a jalapeno; cook for about 5 minutes, flipping several times.
• Meanwhile, deep-fry 2 or 3 onions until tender in the center, about 3 minutes.
• Serve the huarache topped with the cactus paddle, with the jalapeno and onions on the side.
• In a large stockpot, add the beans, 12 ounces of the oil, the whole 1/2 onion, salt and 2 gallons water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours. Once cooked, strain to keep only the beans.
• Add the remaining 6 ounces oil to a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is warm, add the diced onions and then the beans. Begin to mash with a potato masher, adding the bouillon as you go and mixing it around evenly. Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 15 minutes, until the moisture is evaporated and the beans are your desired thickness.

HUARACHES DE NOPAL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil on high heat and add nopales. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove and rinse under cool water. Pat dry. Lightly score and smear coconut oil on each side of nopal. On a dry griddle on high heat, cook nopales in batches (don't overcrowd in pan). Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes or until nopales begin to blister slightly. Set aside.
• In a frying pan on medium heat, mash beans and cook until consistency of a loose paste, about 5 minutes.
• Place nopales on a serving platter. Spread a layer of beans on each and serve topped with slaw or lettuce, salsa, and cheese.
• Grill Option
• Use a gas grill or outdoor barbecue to cook whole raw nopal paddles: Rub paddles with oil to prevent sticking; scoring is not necessary. Grill nopal paddles about 7 minutes per side on medium high heat.