Mexican Cactus Salad Ensalada De Nopales Recipes

ENSALADA DE NOPALES- MEXICAN CACTUS SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• For the pre-cut cactus (nopalitos), start by rinsing the cactus under cold water. You'll see that there is some slime in the cactus. This happens once a cactus paddle has been cut and the liquid from the inside releases. If using Fresh Cactus paddles, carefully remove the thorns but still keeping most of the dark green skin in tact. Then dice the cactus paddles and rinse with cold water.After rinsing, place the cactus in a large pot of water along with Salt, Onion Powder, and some cilantro stems for flavor.
• Boil for about 15 minutes or until the nopales are somewhat soft, but still have some crunch to them. Drain and rinse the cooked cactus again under cold water, then place in bowl to make the cactus salad.
• Dice and chop tomatoes, half of a white or red onion, some cilantro, and jalapeno if you want it spicy.
• In a medium bowl, mix everything with the boiled and rinsed nopales (cactus). I also like to add squeezed lime for some acidity and add salt to taste. Taste the salad and see if more salt or lime is needed. Store the cactus salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve or keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.

CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pour canned or jarred nopales into a strainer to drain. Rinse under running water until jar liquid is washed off. Leave nopales in long strips or chop into pieces about the same size as the tomato and onions.
• In a large glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl, toss together tomato, onion, nopales, and cilantro.
• Place olive oil, lime juice, oregano, and salt into a small jar with lid on. Shake vigorously until mixture comes together. Pour dressing over salad and toss again, gently but thoroughly.
• Cover bowl and refrigerate salad for at least an hour and up to 24 hours for flavors to meld. To serve, garnish with cheese, onion, and avocado.

ENSALADA DE NOPALES (CACTUS SALAD)

Steps:

• In a small bowl or jar whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, agave or honey, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
• Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine the cactus, tomato, sliced onion, cilantro, queso fresco, and jalapeños if you're using any. Mix to combine all ingredients.
• Note: Do not mix in the avocado just yet as it will become all mushy when mixing the salad a few times. Leave it for the last step!
• Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad and mix together.
• Add the cubed avocado and gently fold into the salad.