How to Cook A Cactus Pear

Cactus pear, or prickly pear, grows in many places in the United States as well as throughout the Americas, and not just in the arid places where most cacti are at home. I know people who use cactus pear for landscaping in North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and other such places that are anything but dry.

Given its wide range and ease of growing, not to mention its abundance in the wild, I'm surprised that it doesn't show up in more recipes than it does. Perhaps it's the difficulty of harvesting the cactus pads that deters most would-be cooks.

You can find cactus pear pads in many Mexican specialty grocery stores, or tiendas, where you may find it under the name of "nopal." When chopped up and added to dishes that you may find in a Mexican restaurant, the pieces may be referred to as "nopalitos." The scientific genus name, covering some 250 species, is opuntia.

Even if you decide to harvest some prickly pear pads from a plant growing in your yard, it's worth the extra effort. Truly, it is a versatile plant that can be prepared in a huge variety of delicious ways. Scientists are also discovering that it has many health-giving properties.

When collecting cactus pads, whether from your yard or from the wild, be sure to wear thick gloves to protect your hands from the spines and from the hairlike growths called glochids, which can really irritate your skin. Try to pick only the young, tender pads, which will be glossier and greener than older ones.

Remove the spines and glochids by carefully peeling the pads. Once they're peeled, you can even eat the pads raw if you want. Try chopping them into small pieces and adding them to salads, where their taste will be somewhat like that of green peppers.

To cook cactus pear, bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Peel and slice a couple of good-sized cactus pads and drop the slices into the boiling water. Reduce heat and let cook for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Now you can add butter and any favorite seasonings (powdered garlic is great!) and serve.

You can also sautée cactus pear chunks in a skillet. With or without seasoning, they will make an interesting side dish to any meal.

A popular dish in the southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico is an omelet made with cactus pear pads. Again, just cook the chopped cactus pads in a skillet and add it to the egg batter for the omelet.

As you can see, cooking with cactus is not as formidable as it might seem to those who are unfamiliar with this plant's long history of use in cuisines from the south of the border. Try it!

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Hashbrowns Recipe - Fried Just Like The Diner

Hashbrowns Recipe - how to make perfect homemade hashbrowns each and every time with my foolproof recipe that your family will love every time you serve it!

I've been making hash browns for the family for years, and I have to admit that my recipe wasn't always the best. I can remember when I was just a kid having my grandma make homemade hash browns and they would be so crispy and perfect each and every time, just like her fried potatoes. Also, I remember trips to the local diner or Big Boy for breakfast and every time you get these delicious toasty brown crispy edged hash browns that were so juicy and yummy inside. I'm going to teach you how to make the perfect hash browns each and every time!

Before you start make sure that you have an adequate pan which is either cast iron and well used or a modern large saucepan skillet with teflon coating. If you don't have a good pan these hash browns will never turn out quite right.

What you will need for recipe ingredients:

About 8 medium to large russet potatoes
A good grater with about 1/8"-1/4" holes
salt and pepper to taste
Canola Oil or Crisco Shortening
1 cup diced onion (or green pepper) if you prefer

In a large mixing bowl shred the potatoes with a grater. I prefer with the skins on (which gives you tons of Iron and is great for your body), others in the family like them better peeled. When you're down to your last potato put your skillet on the stove and turn on the heat to med-high (just below high). Toss in your onion and green pepper if desired into the shredded potatoes. Every now and then I'll add some minced or fresh garlic. Add about 3/4 cup of either canola oil or crisco shortening to the pan (I prefer shortening). There is NO subsitute for these - butter WILL NOT work (it burns off too fast). Once the oil is hot, turn the pan from side to side evenly coating, and then carefully dump the shredded potatoes in the pan (without splashing yourself with hot grease). Salt and pepper them in the pan to taste.

Let them cook uncovered in the pan for 5-6 minutes without turning or touching in any way. Then divide into 4 sections with your spatula (as in the picture above) and flip one at a time. Salt and pepper again if desired. Let cook uncovered another 5-7 minutes and you should be done just like the picture.

The secret to perfect hash browns is a good pan, the temperature of the heat, using oil or shortening (and not butter) - but most importantly only turning them one time! This ensures the crispy texture that you expect from a perfect has brown recipe!

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Camping Food Can Be Fun

We all do it. We're planning our family camping trip, and the only food on the list are things we can poke on a stick to hold over the fire. Well, that's ok if you're 10 years old, but camping doesn't have to be quite so predictable.

Part of the fun and charm of roughing it in the great outdoors is the food, however, you don't have to be 'all-out' pioneers. There are some really delicious and 'fun' camping recipes that incorporate the conveniences of this century that everyone should include in their camping preparations.

If you have a reliable cast iron skillet and Dutch oven, you can create wonderful campfire food for your family and friends to enjoy on your next trip. Add some other clever cast iron utensils, such as a pie or sandwich iron, and then the real fun begins. You can cook up pies, pizzas and more.

Here are a few simple, yet delicious, camping recipes that you're sure to love.

Camping Fun Pizza

8 oz. pizza or spaghetti sauce

1 lb Wheat bread

1/4 lb Mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni

Using the pie iron, take two slices of bread, put 1 1/2 tablespoons pizza sauce on one slice of bread. Top with Mozzarella cheese and sliced pepperoni. Place other side of bread on top and butter outer sides of bread. Put sandwich into pie iron and place in coals of fire. Cook until bread is toasted.

Banana Boat

1 Banana

Mini marshmallows

Chocolate chips

Raisins

Partially peel banana. Cut wedge-shaped section in banana. Remove wedge. Place in hollow: marshmallows, chocolate, and raisins. Cover mixture with banana peel and wrap in foil. Place in coals for about 5 minutes, until chocolate and marshmallows are melted.

Fried Rice for Campers

1 pk Precooked rice

2 c Boiling water

1 cn Spam -diced

1 Envelope fried rice-seasoning mix

Place rice in small bowl; pour boiling water over. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Mix in Spam and seasoning mix. Transfer mixture to medium skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring often.

Have fun this summer on your next family camping trip. Remember to find quality, affordable cast iron cooking utensils made for camping and home use. Create a memorable campfire meal - There's more to camping than roasted weenies on a stick! Enjoy!

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