Source: Chef Jorge Gonzales, Such as Life Restaurant, Phoenix, Arizona

Nopales are healthy. One cup contains 60 calories and plenty of vitamin cup

Nopales preparation instructions

4 cups fresh nopales, scraped, washed and chopped
2 tomatoes
1/2 of an onion
1 bunch cilantro
3 serrano chile peppers
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 of an avocado, sliced
3 tablespoons queso fresco or goat cheese

Bring a pot of water to boil. When it is boiling, remove from heat and add nopales. Let them soak for about 5 minutes.

While nopales soak, chop the tomatoes, onion, cilantro and peppers.

Rinse the nopalitos with ice water and set them on a paper towel to drain.

In a salad bowl, toss the chopped vegetables with the oil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Place the sliced avocado on top of the salad and garnish with cheese.

Makes 4 servings.

Approximate values per serving: 203 calories, 13 g fat, 6 mg cholesterol, 4 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates, 8 g fiber, 102 mg sodium, 58 percent calories from fat