Ensalada de nopalitos, or cactus salad, is a refreshing and flavorful Mexican dish that combines the tangy flavor of cactus paddles with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices. This salad is a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. It can be prepared in many different ways, and there are both traditional and vegan versions of the recipe. Whether you prefer a traditional or vegan version, this delicious salad is sure to please your taste buds and provide you with a healthy and satisfying meal.
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ENSALADA DE NOPALES (CACTUS SALAD)
Nopal, or cactus leaf, is enjoyed all over Mexico in everything from salads to soups to salsa. Here, pre-cooked nopales help you get a head start on this colorful salad that's brimming with fresh tomatoes, onion, lime juice, cilantro, and spice. Serve it up as a topping or side with tacos and tostadas.
Provided by McCormick
Categories Appetizers,Dips and Spreads,Side Dishes,
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place all ingredients, except avocado and cheese, in a large bowl; toss until evenly mixed.
- Just before serving, add vegan cheese and avocado, if desired, stirring gently to mix. Garnish with additional cilantro leaves. Serve with tortilla chips.
- Test Kitchen Tip: Nopales are the tear-shaped leaves of the Opuntia or prickly pear cactus, harvested all year long in warm, dry regions of Mexico. The pads are harvested young and have a delicate, tart flavor and crisp yet slightly chewy texture. The juicy leaves are eaten both raw or cooked in a variety of Mexican dishes. Nopales are generally sold fresh in Mexico, but jarred nopalitos can be found in Latin markets, online retailers and in the Latin aisle of most supermarkets.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 73 Calories
ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS (CACTUS SALAD) WITH VEGAN OPTION
This is a delicious recipe using nopales, which are the paddles of the prickly pear cactus. You can use fresh, cooked nopales if you wish, but we just used jarred cactus. We made this for a dinner party and it was a hit! Cooking time is time spent allowing the cactus to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. There is no actual cooking involved, unless you decide to cook your own fresh cactus. To save time, chop the veggies while you're waiting for the nopales to marinate.
Provided by Annisette
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 6-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Drain the nopalitos and place in a bowl. Cut them into smaller strips, if you prefer.
- Add the white onion, cilantro, Mexican oregano, and lime juice to the nopalitos. Stir well. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
- While waiting, prepare the toppings.
- When the nopales mixture has sat for 30 minutes, spread the mixture in a 1.5 or 2 inch deep platter.
- Top with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, shredded cheese, onion, jalapeƱos, and avocado.
- Place the lettuce along the edges of the platter.
- Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.2, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 1.5, Sodium 52.3, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 7, Protein 5.8
ENSALADA DE NOPALES
Make and share this Ensalada De Nopales recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Salvador Vilchis
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 750 g, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- wash, remove spines and dice the nopales.
- cook in pressure cooker with watter, salt and baking soda plus a stem of cilantro.
- once the cooker has acheived pressure, cook for an additional 5 minutes and wait to cool down.
- meanwhile, dice all remaining veggies.
- remove the nopales from the cooking water.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90.8, Fat 7, SaturatedFat 1, Sodium 484.9, Carbohydrate 6.6, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 3, Protein 2
ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS
-Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the cactus, tomatoes, onion and cilantro. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, lime juice, oregano and salt; shake well. Just before serving, drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with queso fresco.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Choose the right nopales: Look for nopales that are firm and have a bright green color. Avoid nopales that are slimy or have brown spots.
- Prepare the nopales properly: To remove the spines from the nopales, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. Cut the nopales into thin strips and then rinse them thoroughly under cold water.
- Cook the nopales until they are tender: Nopales can be cooked in a variety of ways, but the most common method is to boil them. To boil nopales, bring a pot of water to a boil and then add the nopales. Boil the nopales for 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Season the nopales to taste: Once the nopales are cooked, you can season them to taste. Common seasonings for nopales include salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and cilantro.
- Use nopales in a variety of dishes: Nopales can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, stews, and tacos. They can also be used as a side dish or as a garnish.
Conclusion:
Nopales are a delicious and healthy addition to any diet. They are low in calories and fat, and they are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nopales can be used in a variety of dishes, and they are a great way to add a unique flavor and texture to your meals.
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