Ensalada De Nopalitos (Cactus Salad) With Vegan Option

Name: Ensalada De Nopalitos (Cactus Salad) With Vegan Option
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6-10 serving(s)
Ingredients: 32 ounces nopalitos (get the kind that are sliced); 6 tablespoons white onions, chopped; 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano; 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 4 tomatoes, cut into wedges; 2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2/3 cup queso fresco (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option) or 2/3 cup Anejo cheese, crumbled or shredded (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option); 2/3 cup purple onion, sliced into thin rings; 6 canned chilies, jalapenos en escabeche cut into chunks; 2 avocados, sliced; 1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces

Submitted by Annisette

"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."

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Ready In:: 45mins
Ingredients:: 12
Serves:: 6-10

ingredients

32 ounces nopalitos (get the kind that are sliced)
6 tablespoons white onions, chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
TOPPING
4 tomatoes, cut into wedges
²⁄₃ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
²⁄₃ cup queso fresco (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option) or 2/3 cup Anejo cheese, crumbled or shredded (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option)
²⁄₃ cup purple onion, sliced into thin rings
6 canned chilies, jalapenos en escabeche cut into chunks
2 avocados, sliced
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces

directions

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, jalapeños, and avocado.
Place the lettuce along the edges of the platter.
Serve at room temperature.

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Reviews

this was so good :) -- my partner does not like cactus, but she actually enjoyed this dish. the one thing that i did different was to combine everything in one huge bowl after the nopalitos had marinated. we used soy cheese, but I thought it was the best I have had in a long time -- thanks for sharing

Inspiritual

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Annisette

30 THINGS ABOUT ME: 1. I taught myself how to cook out of self-defense. (Mom hated cooking, and her "specialty" was "Liver and Onions") 2. I love to cook. 3. I think eating's pretty fun, too. 4. I enjoy many different cuisines. 5. Organ meat isn't one of them. 7. I was born in New Jersey. 8. I'm Italian. 9. The only Italian words I know are bad ones. 10. I'm married to a wonderful man who loves trying new recipes. 12. I have 5 beautiful children...and the pictures to prove it. ;) 13. I hate doing laundry. 14. I do it anyway because I hate dirty clothes even more. 15. I used to work in Marketing. 16. My favorite color is purple. 17. I like the black jelly beans best. 18. I have a weakness for dark chocolate. 19. I love penguins. 20. My favorite pets are cats. 21. We have a pet turtle. 22. I can drive a stick (manual transmission). 23. I can juggle (nothing sharp or on fire). 24. I love gardening. 25. I hate garden-eating bugs. 26. My hobby is black and white photography. 27. I enjoy public speaking. 28. I like creating fun, innovative cakes. 29. I once made a soundboard cake for a DJ's wedding. It even lit up. 30. I live in Texas, but I don't say, "y'all." 31. I've always wanted to visit New Zealand. 32. I read a lot. 33. I use vegan-certified skin care products. 34. I'm not religious, but I have a personal relationship with Jesus. 35. Okay, so I have more than thirty things...never was much good with numbers! <img src="http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/296809/BannerforAMpages1a.jpg"> <img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jewelies/babyred-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/RecipeSwap2.JPG" width=80%> <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/beartag_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"><img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/adopted_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"> <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/ZWT2.gif"> <img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/kzbhansen/Banners/Animation3.gif"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%204/ZWTAB-tg.gif"> <img src="http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/584814/CAFE_ZMAKK3.jpg" width=90%> <img src="http://images.quizilla.com/H/h0t5auce/1108834307_brown_answer.jpg">Oh bother!Take this <a target="quizilla" style="color:rgb(128,0,128)" href="http://quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=17&url=http://www.quizilla.com/users/h0t5auce/quizzes/Which+Food+Network+chef+are+you%3F">quiz</a>! <a href="http://www.amazingcounter.com"><img border="0" src="http://c9.amazingcounters.com/counter.php?i=1933571&c=5801026" alt="Hit Counters"></a> <a href="http://www.4travelcoupons.com/budget-coupons.html">Budget</a> <a href="http://www.4travelcoupons.com/car-rentals.html">Car Rentals</a>

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