Guiso de Nopalitos
Guiso de Nopalitos is a traditional Mexican stew made with tender cactus paddles, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a flavorful and nutritious dish that’s perfect for a warm meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 130cal
Carbohydrate: 14g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: – -mg
Sodium: – -mg
Difficulty Level: easy
20 min Prep
35 min Cook
55 min Total
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups nopal cactus paddles, cleaned and julienned
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the nopal cactus paddles by carefully removing any spines and chopping them into long strips (julienned). Use a sharp chef’s knife for safety.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes or until they are translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and diced jalapeño to the pan. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the garlic does not burn.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Cook for another 5 minutes until the tomatoes start breaking down into a sauce.
- Add the julienned nopal cactus paddles and chicken or vegetable broth to the pan. Stir everything together well.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the pan and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The nopalitos should be tender and the sauce should reduce slightly.
- Once cooked, season with salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste. Adjust seasoning as necessary. Removal of the nopalitos’ slippery texture is a sign they are cooked well.
- Stir in the fresh cilantro just before serving for extra flavor and freshness.
