Nopales con Carne Dinner!

Mama peeling her cactus

  Thinking about my mother today. About her thoughts and what she was thinking while peeling her cactus. She never wrote a journal, yet she would pray daily. She would read her special bible and with pray her rosary beads. Peeling cactus was one of her rituals in her personal garden. She would make "Nopales' at least once a week. Oh and her Nopales were the best, made with onions, eggs, and fresh tomatoes, after she would can them. I miss talking to her.

  One late night around midnight when I had just moved into my small apartment, (I lost my home of 24 years). She asked, "Hija, que estas hasiendo?", which means "Daughter, what are you doing?". I told her "Estoy haciendo tortillas de harina", which means "I'm making flour tortillas". I could hear her giggle, as though we were little girls having a girlfriend talk. Then she reaffirmed, "A esta noche?" which means "This hour of the night?". It was midnight. I responded in a confident manner, "Si" which means "Yes". (Some people read, some watch TV, and here I was making flour tortillas). Although I was a distant from her, I felt very near to her as though she was right there with me. I was simply remembering how comforting it was for me when my mother made flour tortillas. My absolute favorite were cinnamon flour tortillas. Strange how we do things that remind us of those who do love us and those who comforted us at one time or another. It may not be the way we would wish it to, but it is their way. And many of us who had a very close relationship, end up doing things just like them.

  One most valuable and memorable way my mother would share her love was simply cooking for us. Flour tortillas was one of my favorite foods, yet she made something special for herself and I always wanted to try it. And it was Noplas. She would can them and have a collection. She then sauteed them with onions, fresh garlic, chorizo (a spicy Mexican meat), and sometimes green beans and eggs! Green beans? Yes, anything that would bring a unique flavor she would add while cooking them. And what goes better with cactus, "noplaes", then flour tortillas?

  I hope you enjoy these recipes of  Tortillas de Harina (Flour Tortillas) and Nopales con Carnitas (Cactus with Pork) the way my mother use to make them. I've also included a special recipe of a Red Cabbage and Avocado Salad that go well with this delicious meal. The menu will display Nopales con Carne Asada which is normally used for beef. It can also read Carnitas, which is common for Pork. In memory of my beautiful and only mother. Missing my mother very much. (:

  Select any Cactus at a nearby Mexican store or at your local Farmer's Market. Carefully hold each cactus at the end were it has been cut. (Make sure you have some gardening gloves, My mother was a pro). Now carefully begin to remove the stickers that are facing upward, using a very sharp paring knife. Then trim the edges, but not too much. Rinse each one, and then begin to cut to your preference. My mother would cut them in square pieces, slicing them horizontally and vertically, into medium diced. Then place them in a pot of boiling water. (Add a bit of salt, if desired). Simmer for at least 20 minutes or until they have changed color, a dull green. Taste to make sure they are tender to the bite, yet a bit still crunchy. A soft crunch! (Cactus will not be completely soft, it's still a bit crunchy). Drain liquid, and use the water for a liquid drink if you like. It has healthy nutritional values.  Another way of using cactus is fresh without the boiling process. You can simply add it to any food, but be aware, some of the goo from the cactus will disperse into your dish, almost like a texture of okra. Still very delicious!!

Mary's Making Nopales con Carne Part 1

Noplales-Cactus

Mise-en-place for recipe:

Lean pork, 1/2 pound to 1 pound, medium diced. pork sirloin chops are great as well! (Non GMO)

Cooking oil, 2 tablespoons. I use extra virgin olive oil, or your preference. 

Onion, 1 whole, peeled and medium diced

Garlic, 2 to 3 cloves, thin sliced and minced

Egg, 1 to 2 lightly beaten. (optional)

Heirloom or very ripe tomatoes, 2 large, medium diced

Jalapenos, 2 or more roasted, peeled, and diced. Use your favorite peppers! Remove seeds

Ground smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon

Chile powder, 2 teaspoons (optional)

Salsa, 2 tablespoons (optional)

Cactus, 1 and 1/2 pounds small to medium diced. Preferably cooked and drained 

Salt and pepper to taste, your preference

Cilantro, 1/2 of bushel; handful. Small diced/roughly chopped. Herbs are thoroughly rinsed

  Rinse and drain your cooked cactus, set aside. Heat the stainless steel saute pan or skillet on high heat then lower heat to medium. Add oil and saute diced lean pork or other meat of your preference. Season with salt and pepper. Cook till browned for approximately 6 minutes. Add diced onions. Sweat onions, meaning cooking until tender. Add garlic. Add beaten egg/s and cook for about 1 minute. Add heirloom or very ripe tomatoes, peppers, and gently saute. If desired add your spices, such as, chili powder, salsa, etc. Since the cactus is already cooked, it just needs to heated. Make sure it;s thoroughly drained.

  If the cactus is fresh, add it on the beginning stages after the meat is cooked. If you plan to make it vegetarian, omit meat and use the fresh cactus instead. If the cactus is cooked, follow the same original steps. Hope that's not too confusing. It's worth the effort if you give this dish a try. 

Making the meal! Part 2

Avocado Cabbage Salad

Mise-en-place for Recipe:

Purple Cabbage (for color) 1 cup, thinly sliced

Green onion, 3-4 sprigs, cut thin, diagonally (Couldn't think of the name on video)

Jalapeno, 1 finely chopped. If you use one. I recommend red bell pepper
Radish, 1-2 finely diced
Tomatoes, 1 very ripe and small diced
Avocado, peeled and medium diced
Lime, squeeze juice from 1/2
Cilantro, finely diced, 1/4 cup
XVOO (Extra virgin olive oil), 1 teaspoon or your preference
Oregano, 1 teaspoon dry oregano or 2 teaspoons of diced fresh (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Please note, before cutting your produce, please rinse thoroughly

  Make sure you have a clean surface and mix all ingredients together into a bowl. This dish can be eaten alone or can be served with your cactus dish with flour tortillas! Delicious!! Enjoy!

Noplaes con Carne Asada/Carnitas (Cactus with Pork) Served with Flour Tortillas!

Enjoy your delicious Nopales con Carne!!