A colorful Tex-Mex platter featuring tender cactus, fresh vegetables, zesty salsas, and warm tortillas ready for sharing.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 cups fresh cactus paddles (nopales), cleaned and sliced
02 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 avocado, sliced
06 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Spices & Aromatics
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and pepper, to taste
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
→ For Serving
13 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
14 - ½ cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese (omit for vegan)
15 - ½ cup sour cream or dairy-free alternative
16 - ½ cup salsa verde or pico de gallo
→ Cooking
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# Preparation steps:
01 - Rinse cactus paddles under cold water, remove spines and rough edges, then slice into strips.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cactus strips with a pinch of salt, cook 8–10 minutes until tender and slime evaporates, then remove from skillet.
03 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Sauté red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic for 5–6 minutes until softened.
04 - Return cactus to skillet, stir in cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 additional minutes.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven until warm.
06 - Arrange sautéed cactus mixture, cherry tomatoes, avocado, lime wedges, queso fresco, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro on a large serving board.
07 - Present tortillas alongside the platter and invite guests to assemble tacos.
