Beef Stew With Cactus Carne Guisada Con Nopalitos Recipes

BEEF STEW WITH CACTUS - CARNE GUISADA CON NOPALITOS

Steps:

• Trim off the glochids and spines from two paddles of prickly pear cactus.
• Cut into 1/2 inch dice and cook in boiling salted water until the color changes to olive green.
• Drain and set to the side.
• Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to the boil; add the chiles and cook for about ten minutes or until fork tender.
• Drain well and remove the stems.
• Whirl in a blender and filter through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer to remove seeds; set to the side.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
• Add oil and sautee the onion until transparent.
• Add the meat and brown well, taking care not to scorch the onions.
• Add the salt, pepper, chile puree, garlic, tomato and about one cup of water.
• Cover and simmer lightly for about 30 minutes, or until tender (check towards the end of the cooking time to see if you need more liquid). If meat isn't tender, you may need to cook for another 15 minutes or so.
• Add the cooked nopalitos and stir well.
• Serve while hot.

CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• cut roast up into bite-sized chunks, discarding fat.
• brown beef well in oil on all sides.
• chop onion and peppers, and add to pot. Cook 7 min or so, until softened.
• Add all spices and flour, and stir. Mixture will be thick. Cook 2 minutes.
• Combine can of tomatoes in measuring cup with water to equal 2 cups, then add to pot.
• Bring to boil.
• Turn to simmer, cover and cook 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Add 4oz tomato sauce and cook another 15 minutes.
• Dish is finished when beef is very tender, and flakes with fork.

CACTUS PADDLE SALAD/RELISH OR ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS

Steps:

• If the cactus is in big chunks dice to 1/2-1/4 inch pieces.
• Toss together with the tomato, onion and cilantro.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad.
• Serve.

NOPALITOS CON CHILI (CACTUS)

Steps:

• Wash nopalitos, watch for small thorns, use potato peeler to smooth over and remove sprouting thorns. Cut nopalitos into small cubes, wash again, drain. Set aside.
• Brown steak in oil after you have cut it into 1/2 inch cubes. Use large skillet. Remove cubes with slotted spoon as they brown. Add onions, green peppers and garlic; saute stirring often, until tender. Add nopalitos to mixture, cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle chili powder over mixture; cook and stir one minute.
• Return meat to skillet; add tomatoes, water, salt and oregano; bring to boiling. Lower heat; cover; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain beans, reserving about half the liquid. Add beans and reserved liquid to skillet; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

CARNE GUISADA (MEXICAN BEEF STEW)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Toss meat pieces with flour, then brown quickly in oil in an ovenproof Dutch oven.
• Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, beef stock, tomato paste, cumin and chili powder; bring to a simmer on the stove.
• Cover Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven, baking for about 2 to 2-1/2 hours, until meat is extremely tender.
• Serve as is, or on rice, or folded into warm tortillas.

GUISADO DE NOPALES - CACTUS PADDLE STEW

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
• Trim off spines and damaged bits, clean and wash the cactus.
• Cut each paddle into half-inch squares.
• Drop the cactus pieces into the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes; drain.
• Trim stem ends of the tomatoes and cut the tomatoes into quarters.
• Place them in a blender container with the onion and one-fourth cup water.
• Whirl until thoroughly blended.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan.
• Add the tomato mixture, epazote, chicken base and salt.
• Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered about 10 minutes.
• Add the cactus squares and the remaining one-fourth cup water.
• Bring to a boil and simmer gently, uncovered, 5 minutes.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, thin with a little water.

CARNE ASADA CUBE STEW (CARNE GUISADA?)

Steps:

• Cut onion into half-rings. Set aside.
• Dice Garlic and set aside.
• In a large pot, add Vegetable oil to cover bottom. Heat on high heat.
• When oil is hot, add cubed beef and quickly stir so that all sides get brown.
• Allow beef to cook in its own juices.
• When beef is a bit brown, lower heat to med-high and add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is tender.
• Lower heat to medium and add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chilies, and jalapenos.
• Add beef broth, cumin, and salt. Stir to mix well.
• Wash and peel potatoes and cut into same size chunks as beef. Add to the pot.
• Let simmer on low to med-low for 2 hours or until potatoes are done.
• Serve with warm Flour Tortillas.