Grilled Cactus Salad

Tweaked from thespruceeats.com

QUANTITY AND INGREDIENTS 8 appetizer servings

1 large tomato or 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and medium diced

1 small white onion, medium diced

2 cups chopped nopales, grilled, medium diced (2-3 paddles)

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed, more to taste

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cotija cheese, finely grated (for garnish)

Onion, thinly sliced, for garnish (optional, do not add for class)

Avocado, sliced, for garnish (optional, do not add for class)

PREPARE YOUR MIS EN PLACE

1. Read and reread the recipe.

2. Gather all your ingredients and necessary equipment.

CULINARY TIPS

1. For chopping tomatoes, use a serrated knife. Cut the tomato flesh off its core; avoid leaving flesh behind. Then stack the tomato pieces and slice, then dice making into cubes. For this dish, the tomatoes, onions, and nopales dice should be around the same size.

2. Nopales are the pads of the prickly pear cactus. It is a staple in the Mexican diet. It has multiple potential health benefits including lowering cholesterol, helping with diabetes, improving digestion, and reducing inflammation.

3. Nopales can also be purchased in a jar. I prefer cooking my own, especially grilled (https://www.thespruceeats.com/grilled-nopales-recipe-2216480). If buying jarred nopales, remove the “baba” (the slimy, mucilaginous substance) by rinsing and then drying it. This improves the texture as well as the taste.

3. Nopales without spines can be purchased at Winco or a local Mexican grocer. I found mine at Campos Market on Orchard Street.

PREPARE THE NOPALES SALAD

1. In a large bowl, toss together tomato, onion, nopales, and cilantro.

2. Place lime juice, oregano, and salt into a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Add additional salt to taste.

3. Gently mix in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour and up to 24 hours for flavors to meld.

4. To serve, garnish with cheese. Onion and avocado are optional (since avocado already on menu, do not add).