Nopalito-Cheese Crisps on Tomato Purée

Name: Nopalito-Cheese Crisps on Tomato Purée
Yield: 4 generous first-course servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 medium garlic cloves; 1½ pounds very ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded; 1–3 teaspoons tomato paste; 1 pound tender, thin nopales, prickers removed (see Preparation); 1 pound tender, thin nopales, prickers removed (see Preparation); Corn oil for frying; About ½ pound fairly firm cheese, such as Monterey jack or Cheddar cheese; About ½ pound fairly firm cheese, such as Monterey jack or Cheddar cheese; About ½ pound fairly firm cheese, such as Monterey jack or Cheddar cheese; 3 eggs; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon salt; 1½ cups stone-ground cornmeal; About 2 tablespoons minced cilantro; Thin strips of peeled medium-hot chili, such as poblano or chile verde (see to peel chili); Thin strips of peeled medium-hot chili, such as poblano or chile verde (see to peel chili); Thin strips of peeled medium-hot chili, such as poblano or chile verde (see to peel chili); Thin strips of peeled medium-hot chili, such as poblano or chile verde (see to peel chili)

Preparation info

4
generous first-course servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables

By Elizabeth Schneider

Published 1986

About

Although they take a bit of time to assemble, cornmeal-coated packets of cheese-stuffed cactus are a colorful and unusual first course for a new-style Mexican or Southwestern dinner.

Ingredients

Sauce

2 medium garlic cloves
1½ pounds very ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded
1–3 teaspoo

Oceania
Americas
Australian
Australia
Mexico
United States
Dinner
Starter
Spring
South America
Central America
Gluten-free
Vegetarian

Method

With motor running, drop garlic in processor; mince. Add tomatoes and 1 teaspoon paste; purée. Strain through sieve into saucepan.
Simmer until lightly thickened, stirring often. You should end up with about 1 cup. Add salt and more tomato paste to taste. Reserve.
Drop nopales in boiling water and cook until tender—about 5 minutes. Drain. Set on towel