Nopales Salad

Name: Nopales Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned, diced; 2 roma tomatoes, diced; 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano; 1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled

A vibrant Mexican salad of cleaned cactus paddles tossed with tomato, onion, cilantro, and a tangy lime dressing - bright, earthy, and packed with fiber.

27 minMediumServes 480 cal/serving

MexicanSaladStovetopVegetarianMediterraneanLow CarbHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeSoy-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned, diced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled

Instructions

1

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb cleaned, diced fresh nopales (cactus paddles) and cook until tender and no longer slimy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2

Pat the cooked nopales dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3

In a large bowl, combine the nopales, 2 diced roma tomatoes, 1/2 cup finely diced white onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
4

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano to make the dressing.
5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6

Transfer to a serving platter and top with 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco (or feta cheese). Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Questions

Why pat it dry first in Nopales Salad?

Step 2 reads: "Pat the cooked nopales dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture." Surface water has to boil off before anything can brown. Drying at step 2 means the food sears in the first minute instead of steaming.

What can I use instead of Mexican oregano in Nopales Salad?

The entry for Nopales Salad calls for 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano. In its place: Mediterranean oregano works at slightly less volume; a pinch of ground coriander brings back some of the citrus note.

Can I make Nopales Salad dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Nopales Salad is 1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How many carbs are in Nopales Salad?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 3 g of carbohydrate in about 80 calories, with 1 g protein and 8 g fat, plus 80 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I freeze Nopales Salad?

It is not a good candidate. Water seeps out of the tomatoes as the salad sits, so keep the dressing apart and toss Nopales Salad just before serving. Undressed and refrigerated, the components hold about two days. It does not freeze.

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