Description
Sizzling Mexican flavors dance in this chorizo with nopales dish, blending spicy sausage and tender cactus paddles. Culinary adventurers will discover a rustic, hearty meal that celebrates authentic Mexican street food traditions in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) chorizo, casing removed
Vegetables:
- 2 cups nopales, cleaned and diced (about 3 medium cactus paddles)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, minced (optional)
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Cleanse and prepare nopales by submerging in boiling water seasoned with salt, cooking until tender and the slimy texture dissipates. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then set aside.
- Heat skillet over medium flame and crumble chorizo, rendering fat and browning meat thoroughly while breaking into small, even pieces. Eliminate excess grease if accumulating.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into chorizo-filled skillet, sautéing until onions become translucent and aromatic.
- Incorporate prepared nopales, diced tomatoes, and optional jalapeños into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, allowing ingredients to blend and develop complex flavors for several minutes.
- Remove from heat, generously sprinkle fresh cilantro across the dish for vibrant color and herbaceous note. Accompany with warm tortillas, lime wedges, or serve atop fluffy rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Tenderize nopales thoroughly by boiling to eliminate their natural mucilaginous texture, ensuring a clean, crisp vegetable base for the dish.
- Drain excess chorizo fat to prevent greasy results, maintaining a balanced and flavorful protein component that doesn’t overwhelm other ingredients.
- Choose fresh, young nopales with minimal spines for easier preparation and a more delicate, less fibrous eating experience.
- Adjust heat levels by controlling jalapeño quantity or substituting with milder green chiles for those preferring less spice, making the recipe adaptable to different heat tolerances.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg