Cactus Shrimp With Cactus Lime Butter Sauce Recipes

CACTUS SHRIMP WITH CACTUS-LIME-BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Pulse tunas (cactus fruit) briefly in a food processor or blender; strain.
• Set aside 1 cup puréed tunas, and reserve remaining 1/4 cup for Cactus-Lime-Butter Sauce.
• Combine 1 cup tempura mix and the achiote paste in a blender or food processor, and pulse until smooth.
• Place mixture in a medium-size bowl, add 1 cup puréed tunas, and mix well.
• Chill.
• Dust shrimp with cornstarch.
• Dip each shrimp individually into tempura-tuna batter, and fry in hot oil (375°) until golden brown, frying only 3-4 at a time.
• Drain well.
• For the Cactus-Lime-Butter Sauce: Combine wine, cilantro, and shallot in a heavy 2 quart saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat until wine is almost gone.
• While the wine is reducing, zest the lime; set zest aside.
• Juice the lime; set juice aside.
• When the wine has reduced to almost nothing, add lime zest, lime juice, and heavy cream, stirring constantly with a whisk.
• Lower heat, and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from heat for about 5 minutes.
• While the pot is still hot, slowly begin whisking in the butter, a tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
• Strain through a fine sieve.
• Keep sauce warm-if it becomes too cold or too hot, the sauce will separate, and you'll have to begin the process again.
• Fold in the remaining 1/4 cup cactus fruit purée.
• Yield: Enough sauce for Cactus Shrimp.

CACTUS CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Grease and flour an 8" square baking pan.
• Briefly cook nopalitos in boiling water with baking soda until they turn from bright to dull green.
• Drain well and set to the side.
• Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
• Add egg and milk; combine well.
• Add oil and mix well.
• Fold in corn kernels and pre-cooked nopalitos.
• Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes (a wooden pick or knife inserted in center should come out clean).

CHICKEN WITH LIME BUTTER

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add chicken.
• Cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until fork can be inserted into chicken easily.
• Remove chicken to serving platter. Keep warm.
• Drain oil from skillet.
• Add lime juice.
• Cook over low heat until juice begins to bubble, about 1 minute.
• Add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until butter becomes opaque and forms a thickened sauce.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in chives and dill.
• Spoon sauce over chicken.
• Serve immediately.
• Garnish with quartered lime slices and parsley.

SHRIMP AND NOPAL CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Pare the spines from the cactus; trim the base and around the edge. Dice into 3/4 x 1/4-inch pieces. Blanch in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse thoroughly. Combine with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours or until cold. Serve cold with baked corn tortillas.