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

2 cups nopales, scraped, washed and cut into strips
1 cup ground chorizo sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups Chihuahua cheese, grated (or substitute
    shredded Monterey jack)
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 of an avocado, sliced

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Bring a pot of water boil, then remove pan from heat. Add the nopales and let them soak for about 5 minutes. Remove nopales from pan and put them on a paper towel to drain.

Put chorizo in saut?pan with olive oil and saut?on medium heat several minutes, until cooked through. Break into small pieces.

Place the cheese, nopales, chorizo and mushrooms in an oven-safe dish and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Garnish with avocado and serve with flour or corn tortillas, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Approximate values per serving: 531 calories, 42 g fat, 100 mg cholesterol, 28 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 1,000 mg sodium, 71 percent calories from fat