Nopales(Cactus Pads) Curry!!

I have always wondered why on earth would people want to eat Cactus Pads!! My curiosity did not end there....wanted to try out something from this Mexican vegetable. Nopal means cactus in Spanish. They are available in Mexican grocery stores.

Ingredients:

Nopales - 3 medium sized
Red Bell Pepper - 2 medium
Water - 3 cups
Besan or Gram flour - 2 Tbsp
Canola Oil - 1 Tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Jeera or Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - pinch
Tamarind Paste - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Small bunch of Cilantro - finely chopped


Method:

1. Clean Nopales taking care not to get spine into your skin. Hold one end of the Nopale with tong and gently rub it with a rough side of an unused dish sponge. Remove thin strip along the edges.
2. Cut Nopale paddle into two inch long strips. Heat 3 cups water in a pan or pot and allow it to boil. Add Nopales into boiling water in a medium flame. Allow it to cook, later add tamarind paste and salt so the sliminess is lost.
3. Chop red bell pepper length wise around two inch long strips.
4. Heat oil in pan and add mustard seeds, let it splutter. Now add Jeera and after it turns slightly brown add turmeric, red bell pepper strips. Allow it to cook for about 5-10 min in medium flame by sprinkling little water. When done add the cooked nopales on to pan and fry for a while.
5. Add salt and Gram flour, mix it thoroughly.
6. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro on top and this curry goes well with Roti or Chapathi.