Nopalitos Salad with Red Quinoa

Nopalitos Salad with Red Quinoa

Combine the tradition of nopal with the nutrition of red quinoa in a fresh, fiber-filled salad.

Type: Appetizers

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Nopalitos salad|red quinoa recipe|homemade nopal salad|healthy Mexican recipe|vegetarian salad|slime-free nopales|nutritious food

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 185 kcal

Preparation Time: 20M

Cooking Time: 20M

Total Time: 40M

Recipe Ingredients:

• 4 clean nopales
• 1 cup red quinoa
• 2 diced tomatoes
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 lemons
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Cotija cheese

Recipe Instructions:

Cook quinoa:

Wash the quinoa, boil for 15 min (2 cups water per 1 of quinoa) until liquid is absorbed and let it rest.

Prepare nopales:

Boil nopal strips in salted water for 15 min, drain and rinse with water to remove the slime.

Chop vegetables:

Finely chop the onion, tomato, and fresh cilantro.

Mix salad:

Combine quinoa and nopales with the chopped vegetables. Dress with lemon, oil, and salt.

Serve:

Add cotija cheese when serving to give a salty and creamy touch.

Editor's Rating:
4.7

Nopalitos and Red Quinoa Salad Recipe

Hello! Today we are going to prepare a traditional Mexican recipe with a healthy twist, the nopalitos salad with red quinoa. This dish combines the unique flavor of nopal with the texture and nutrition of quinoa, ideal for those looking for a fresh, nutritious, and vegetarian meal. It is an option rich in fiber and vitamins that you can enjoy as a complete salad or a side dish.

Preparation time

The times expressed here allow the quinoa and nopalitos to be at their ideal point for this fresh salad.

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 20 minutes
• Total: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the salad

• 4 clean nopales, without thorns
• 1 cup red quinoa
• 2 tomatoes diced
• ½ onion finely chopped
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 2 serrano chilies (optional)
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼

If you can't find fresh nopalitos, you can use canned nopalitos, but in that case, wash them well to remove excess liquid and salt. Red quinoa can be substituted with white or tricolor quinoa with the same nutritional quality.

Utensils we will use

• Medium pot for cooking quinoa
• Pot or saucepan for cooking nopales
• Strainer for draining
• Large mixing bowl
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Spoon or spatula for stirring

Preparation

1. Cooking the quinoa

1. Rinse the quinoa: Place the red quinoa in a colander and wash it under the tap for several seconds to remove its natural bitter taste.
2. Boil the quinoa: In a pot, add 2 cups of water per 1 cup of quinoa and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-high heat until it boils.
3. Cook until the water is absorbed: Reduce heat and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. The quinoa should be soft but light. Remove from heat and let it rest covered.

2. Prepare nopalitos without slime

1. Wash the nopales: After thoroughly cleaning the nopales to remove the thorns, cut them into thin strips.
2. Boil the nopales: Place the nopales in a pot with water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes until they are tender and have lost their characteristic sliminess.
3. Cool and drain: Drain the water and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking and remove excess sliminess. Lightly dry them with paper towels.

3. Chop fresh ingredients

1. Prepare vegetables: Finely chop the onion, cut the tomato into small cubes, and chop the fresh cilantro. If using serrano chili, clean the seeds to remove some of the spiciness and finely chop it.

4. Mix the salad

1. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix the nopalitos, already cooled red quinoa, onion, tomato, cilantro, and serrano pepper.
2. Dress: Add the lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and vegetable oil. Stir to integrate all the flavors.
3. Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust if an additional pinch of salt or lemon is needed.
4. Add cheese: When serving, sprinkle the cotija cheese over the salad for a salty and creamy texture.

To finish and serve

It is recommended that the salad rests for about 10 minutes in refrigeration so that the flavors blend. You can serve it alone or accompanied by dishes such as grilled meats or beans. Serving it with warm tortillas is a traditional option that enhances its flavor.

Nutritional benefits of nopalitos and red quinoa salad

This dish combines two ingredients with high nutritional value and health benefits:

The nopalitos are rich in fiber, aiding digestion and cholesterol control. They also provide vitamins like C and minerals. In addition to their fiber content, the nopales offer antioxidants that can improve cardiovascular health.

The red quinoa is a complete protein, provides essential amino acids and is an excellent source of iron and magnesium. In addition, it is rich in complex carbohydrates, which provides sustained energy.

This salad is vegetarian, low in calories and perfect for those looking to balance flavor and nutrition. The combination of these ingredients makes it filling, with numerous micronutrients to keep the body healthy.

Ways to enhance the flavor of the salad with fresh ingredients

Adding fresh ingredients can take this salad to another level. For example, incorporating a little chopped serrano chili adds a spicy touch that awakens the palate. Also, a little apple cider vinegar can substitute or complement lemon juice, adding a different acidity.

For those who like, substituting cotija cheese for feta cheese can give a slightly milder flavor, maintaining the creamy texture that balances the fiber from the nopales and quinoa.

An option for those looking for more protein is to add chickpeas or nuts toasted. A little chopped cucumber can add freshness and a distinct crunch, complementing this salad very well.

To explore other salad ideas with quinoa and fresh vegetables, you can visit recipes like Mediterranean salad with quinoa o warm quinoa, almond, and cranberry salad.

Popular variations of nopalitos and red quinoa salad

In different regions, this salad may change slightly, adapting to local ingredients or personal preferences:

• With avocado: Add avocado cubes for a creamy texture and healthy fats.
• With nuts: Toasted walnuts or almonds for a crunchy touch.
• With pumpkin seeds: They add flavor and antioxidant nutrients.
• With other vegetables: Cucumber, radish, or grated carrot for greater variety of textures and colors.

The versatility of this salad allows it to be enjoyed as an individual dish or as part of a complete meal. If you want to get inspired by other salads that combine varied ingredients, I recommend taking a look at the pasta salad with spinach and walnuts or the pasta salad with zucchini.

This tutorial shows how to combine nopales with grains like quinoa to obtain a fresh and flavorful salad.

Use of nopal in Mexican gastronomy and its cultural value

The nopal is one of Mexico's culinary and cultural symbols, present in dishes since pre-Hispanic times. Its use in salads like the one described here is an integral part of daily life and also of contemporary Mexican haute cuisine.

This cactus provides a unique flavor and an interesting texture, with a slight natural acidic touch that combines well with fresh ingredients like tomato and cilantro. Furthermore, cooking it properly, either by boiling or grilling, eliminates its sliminess without losing its properties.

In many Mexican families, nopalitos salad is often served as an appetizer or side dish for grilled meats, tacos, or beans, thus completing a balanced menu full of tradition.

If you want to discover more about traditional Mexican dishes but with a fresh and healthy approach, I invite you to check out the salad of shrimp with mango, which balances tropical flavors with marine proteins.

Different methods for preparing nopalitos without slime and their impact on texture

The sliminess that nopales contain can be a barrier for those who are not used to it, but there are several methods to reduce it and obtain a pleasant texture for the salad:

• Boil them in salted water: The most common technique to eliminate the sliminess, cooking them for approximately 15 minutes until tender.
• Grill: After trimming them and making strategic cuts, they are grilled for a couple of minutes per side, intensifying their flavor and giving a firm texture.
• Sauté: Cook with a little oil over low heat, covered, until the sliminess disappears and the nopales release less liquid.

The chosen method directly impacts the final texture of the nopalitos and how they integrate into the salad. For a fresh and juicy salad, boiling is ideal, while for a smoky touch, grilling is advised. Sautéing helps control the sliminess without prolonged cooking.

In this video, different methods and tips are shown for cooking nopales without them being slimy, which is key for the perfect salad.

Varieties of cheese to accompany nopalitos and red quinoa salad

Crumbled cheese is a classic complement for this salad and can vary depending on availability and preference:

• Cotija Cheese: Traditional Mexican, salty and firm, it provides an intense flavor and grainy texture.
• Anejo Cheese: Similar to cotija but with longer maturation, drier and with a deep flavor.
• Feta Cheese: A soft alternative, with a salty touch and creamy texture, easy to find in most supermarkets.
• Fresh cheese: If you prefer something milder and less salty.

Choosing the right cheese can modify the salad experience, providing the balance you are looking for. Combining the salad with cotija or feta cheese complements very well the fiber and vitamins present in the nopales and quinoa.

Pairing nopalitos and red quinoa salad for family meals

This salad is an exceptional accompaniment for homemade meals. Its fresh flavor complements grilled meats, beans, and other typical Mexican dishes such as heart of palm salad with passion fruit vinaigrette or the potato salad with bacon and mustard.

Being a healthy recipe, rich in fiber, vitamins, and vegetable proteins, it is ideal for those looking to take care of their nutrition without sacrificing flavor. It adapts well to informal celebrations, outdoor meals, or as part of a vegetarian menu for the whole family.

Its freshness and ease of preparation also make it an excellent option for hot days or for those who want a light but nutritious meal.