This week we cook up four nopal (cactus) recipes that go beyond the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes we love in South Texas. Paul Stephen is a food writer for the Express-News. He can be reached ...

Have you ever noticed a stack of fresh cactus paddles at your local market, but were unsure how to use them — or at least how to keep from getting stuck? The paddles of the prickly pear cactus are ...

If you like onion rings, you’ll probably enjoy crunching into a bite of battered and fried cactus as well. 2 cactus paddles, needles removed, cut into french fry-size strips Instructions: Place the ...

1. To prepare the nopales: If necessary, use a small sharp knife to remove any residual thorns or nodules from the cactus leaves. Bring 8 cups salted water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat ...

My fondness for nopales - the paddlelike leaves of the prickly pear cactus - began early on. I spent a lot of time at my family's historic home at Rancho Los Tularcitos in Milpitas, where a cactus ...

Nopales, also known as prickly pear cactus pads, are vastly versatile, antioxidant-packed succulent plants. While these spiny cactus paddles are staples in Mexican cooking, their uses are endless and ...

When most people see this prickly desert plant, the last thing they think of is putting it in their mouth. But cactus, or nopales as they call it in the Southwest, makes a surprisingly delicious and ...

Cactus might look intimidating, but once you learn how to clean and cook it to make nopales, you’ll be looking for ways to incorporate this nutritional powerhouse into more dishes Walk around almost ...

When stir-fried at a high temperature, cactus retains quite a bit of crunchy texture. Its mild flavor blends into this Thai-inspired curry perfectly. Instructions: Heat the oil in a wok or large ...

Prickly desert cactus sounds like the last thing you’d want to eat. But -- surprise! -- once the spines are off, cactus is juicy and tender, great in anything from salads and soups to main courses and ...

While many see versatile maiz as the foremost plant in Mexican cookery, cactus occupies a more symbolic role for many Mexicans. You can literally see this by examining the Mexican flag, which depicts ...