Cactus Pear Fizz Recipes

FROZEN CACTUS PEAR MARGARITAS

Steps:

• Combine tequila, orange-flavored liqueur, cactus pear syrup, lime juice and ice in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Serve in rocks glass and garnish with lime.
• Cactus Pear a.k.a Prickly Pear: The pulp of these cactus fruits is a brilliant red or, occasionally, a yellowish green, and it tastes a bit like watered-down watermelon. Cooks exploit the color by adding slices of the pulp to fruit salads, or by pureeing it and straining out the seeds. They're quite popular in Hispanic countries and around the Mediterranean.

FROZEN CACTUS PEAR MARGARITAS

Steps:

• Place tequila, orange liqueur, cactus pear juice, lime juice, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Carefully pour a few ounces of cactus pear juice onto a plate and a few ounces of salt onto another plate. Dip the rim of each margarita glass into the juice and then into the salt. Pour margaritas into each glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

NOPAL CACTUS WITH PRICKLY PEAR VINAIGRETTE AND TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat grill.
• Place paddles over open grill and cook until just soft. Set aside.
• Place oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add onions and saute until caramelized. Set aside.
• Slice cactus paddles and arrange on plate. Place onions over the top and sprinkle with pumpkinseeds. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the cactus; squeeze lime over the top and set the lime wedges on the plate.
• Place the vinegars, mustard, raspberries and syrup in a blender and puree. Add mango and puree until smooth. Strain the dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.

CACTUS SORBET

Steps:

• Wearing your rubber gloves, wash and skin pears. Be careful of the very tiny spines. Add all ingredients except mint to a blender and puree until smooth. Reduce liquid in half on medium heat. Strain and let cool.
• Note: Before freezing the puree, adjust the flavor with sugar and cranberry juice, to taste. Freeze puree in an ice cream maker and you're ready to scoop.
• Garnish with fresh mint.

CACTUS FRUIT COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Place the prickly pears in a blender and pulse until liquefied. Strain the juice into a small bowl (you should have about 1 cup of juice).
• Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice, add the prickly pear juice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and sugar and shake vigorously.
• Pour into glasses filled with ice, rimmed with salt or sugar, if you like. Garnish with lime slices.