Nopales and Scrambled Eggs

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Use a sharp knife to cut off the spikes from the cactus leaves, if necessary (be very careful as you do this). Rinse the nopales and pat them dry. Cut the clean, trimmed nopales into 1/4 inch thick strips.

3. Step 3

   Cut off and discard the stem end of the shallot. Cut it in half, letting the in-tact stem end hold each half together. Remove and discard the papery peel. Make horizontal cuts into the shallot, then cuts running from the stem end, then finely chop it (dice), using that stem end to hold it. Discard the stem end when you're done.

4. Step 4

   In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter or heat the oil. Add the diced shallot and nopales and salt. Stir to coat with the butter. Sprinkle with half of the salt (1/4 teaspoon). Reduce heat to medium, you want the nopales to be sizzling, but not browning. Cook, stirring frequently until the nopales are tender and most of their liquid had evaporated - 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Step 5

   Crack open the eggs into a medium bowl. Whisk to beat the whites and yolks together thoroughly. Sprinkle in the salt and whisk to combine.

6. Step 6

   Pour the eggs into the pan with the cooked nopales and stir to combine the eggs with the nopales. Cook, stirring and scraping the cooked egg from the bottom of the pan until the eggs are set, about 3 minutes. (Stoves and pans are all different; pay more attention to if the eggs are cooked to your liking than you pay to the clock!)

7. Step 7

   Serve immediately, with sauces and accompaniments as described above or all on their own with salt and pepper to taste, naturally.

8. Step 8

   Enjoy!