Nopalitos Con Chili (cactus)

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 small nopalitos (should be firm 5 inch in diameter size, top sprouts of prickly pear cactus plant)
• 3/4 lb chuck (chuck steak)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 med.-size onion, chopped (1/2 c.)
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 cup tomato puree (29 oz. can)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon leaves oregano, crumbled
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans (optional)

Recipe

• 1 wash nopalitos, watch for small thorns, use potato peeler to smooth over and remove sprouting thorns. cut nopalitos into small cubes, wash again, drain. set aside.
• 2 brown steak in oil after you have cut it into 1/2 inch cubes. use large skillet. remove cubes with slotted spoon as they brown. add onions, green peppers and garlic; saute stirring often, until tender. add nopalitos to mixture, cook 3 minutes. sprinkle chili powder over mixture; cook and stir one minute.
• 3 return meat to skillet; add tomatoes, water, salt and oregano; bring to boiling. lower heat; cover; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4 drain beans, reserving about half the liquid. add beans and reserved liquid to skillet; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.