Carne de Puerco con Nopales - Easy Recipe

Pork ribs are simmered in a chili sauce with nopales cactus to deliver a comforting and hearty dish to enjoy for dinner.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork ribs (or any other meat you prefer)
• 1 - 15 oz jar Doña Maria nopalitos
• 2 Tbsp lard ( or vegetable oil)
• 1 garlic clove (skin on)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 Tbsp salt
• 3 guajillo peppers (read notes)
• 1 pasilla pepper (read notes)
• 1 lb tomatoes, boiled (or 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce)
• 1 small onion (cut into quarters)
• 1 garlic clove (peeled)
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Place the meat in a braising pan with garlic, bay leaves and salt.
2. 2Cover with about 1-inch of water and cook until the meat is tender but not falling from the bone (about 1 hour).
3. 3--- Make the chili sauce ---
4. 4Place chilies in a bowl and cover with hot water, leave to soak for 10 minutes.
5. 5Drain chilies and place them in a blender with tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and oregano.
6. 6Add 1 cup of water and blend until you’ll have a smooth sauce. Strain in a bowl and set aside.
7. 7--- Make the stew ---
8. 8Drain the meat and set aside 1 ½ cups of cooking water, return the meat to the pan and add the oil.
9. 9Fry until lightly browned over medium-low heat.
10. 10Add the chili sauce, cook for 2 minutes and then add the nopales to the pan.
11. 11Pour in the cooking water and bring to a boil.
12. 12Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat, allow the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency and adjust with salt.