I may have found my new favorite taco topping in Mexico City | Nopales.

[@saberraider]

so glad you liked nopales!, make sure to cook them in pure salt. cut them thinly and douse em in salt, let them rest for 20 minutes and wash salt and slime. mix them with cilantro, raw onion, jalapeño, tomato and lime juice. throw a little avocado if you want and put it all on a corn tortilla with chicharron!

[@EthanChlebowski]

Of course! I just had a nopales preparation like the one you described today with some barbacoa, it seems there are different variations. All delicious though!

[@zahl6518]

There are a lot of cooking channels but a few are so simplistic and amazing and show variety and display more common foods that arent 12450$. Also some really cool unique foods

[@EthanChlebowski]

I think that sums it up quite nicely. The majority of cooking I like to do is just taking simple ingredients and preparing them well with basic techniques, I hope that comes across in the videos!

[@s.leemccauley7302]

@@EthanChlebowski it does. I dislike the ones that get too complex. I want good food but don't care to spend lots if time or money on food that is ni better tasting in the end. Thanks

[@carolinalomeli9128]

Hey Ethan, You've earned my respect for educating yourself on the Mexican food culture. You are not just another KZbinr. 👏

[@saberraider]

oh, and the word for sauté is "saltear", the slang word for it is "sancochar"

[@PimpolloMorales]

There's a lot of words for sauté, in Puerto Rico we say sofreír ☺️

[@rajavlitra]

guisa

[@SolarizeYourLife]

Google translate says sancochar is Parboil...

[@donovanb9020]

@@SolarizeYourLife Google Translate also literally translates "que rollo" although it's just another way to say "what's up?"

[@ClumsyCaTmeow]

Definitely going to try this one. I keep a jar of pickled onions in the fridge because of this channel and I know this will be another favorite. Tacos and “dime bags of oregano”... truly a man after my own heart.

[@EthanChlebowski]

That's what I like to hear! It's a quite an interesting topping. I want to try it out on some non mexican foods when I get back.

[@smurfaccount2162]

@@EthanChlebowski so how did it turn out?

[@dylanjones3497]

Mexicano viviendo en Israel intentando de acordarse de México haciendo estos tacos. Gracias por la receta.

[@beangie]

Pro Tip: Before Saute or frying the Nopales, you should BOIL them to remove the goop xD, you boil them with a tablespoon of salt and 1 of baking soda for 5-10 min, and drain them, they should be a little on the olive green or darker color you can rinse them and then you can fry them, so you won't get that mess on the oil

[@mmkjijhuks1841]

Nopales are delicious 😋

[@EthanChlebowski]

I fully agree!

[@ArmandoDy]

Ethan make them with eggs and red chile powder. Just cut the nopales into small squares. For 3 cactus pads use about 12 eggs. Half an onion, chopped cilantro, and also sprinkle on some black pepper,along with the red chile powder to taste. Spice up the cactus pads first, and when they're about done, add the eggs into the pan. Now those make great tacos. Also heat up your corn tortillas in a tiny amount of oil. They'll be more flexible and tastier. Before you eat the taco pour on some green El Yucateco Habanero hot sauce. Just cut half the small bottle, with half apple cider vinegar. Yes pour out half the sauce, and add vinegar to it. You can make 2 bottles from 1, and will be super tasty, but not so hot. Great video.👍😉🌵🌵🌵

[@daniwastaken]

Me, watching him try to clean the nopales one thorn at a time: ¡Güero, no! Nomás hazle así con el cuchillo ira *kij kij kij kij* A for effort and enthusiasm tho

[@vanessativa2418]

Lol I love you

[@AlfonsoVallarta]

Qué pinches bello comentario. 😂 Listen to this woman, mate. That's how you do it.

[@mikebevan1034]

How are you supposed to do it?

[@alfonso6496]

Great job! My mom also likes to scramble them into eggs & will also make costillas en salsa roja (ribs in red sauce) with them. Another common preparation is grilled, and even raw as a salad.

[@EthanChlebowski]

Love it. That costilla recipe sounds awesome, what type of chile do you use?

[@alfonso6496]

@@EthanChlebowski She uses dried serranos (for heat) and ancho or pasilla (or really, just about any other - she says "whichever you like"). Sometimes trying to get an ingredient list from her is an interesting endeavor 😂

[@letsdothis6274]

Hi Ethan, it's best to cook/boil the diced or sliced nopales in water/salt/few cloves of garlic for 15-20 min. discard the water/garlic, to get rid of the sliminess, then fry or cook it in the chile de Arbol infused oil. Also, in the International aisle of your local SuperM. or the Latino/Mexican Super M. you can find the Nopales fresh in bags in the produce section, whole or cut/sliced, in addition, they sell it in jars, cooked, in brine. Rinse in a colander before using, and cook it with your scrambled eggs, or add to ground beef and sauce, delicious.

[@judithburke1539]

I saw the blip about cactus snot and busted up laughing!!! That's on point. 😄😃😀

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

Yeah... that stuff is Nasty, Wicked Gooey! 🤣

[@csrt417]

This looks is so good. I want to try this

[@maryannlarsen1727]

You can use a knife to scrape off the thorns then boil your cut up nopales with onion garlic salt until tender then rinse really good afterwards you sauteed with other flavors that you like. On the quick side you can also buy a bag that's already cut up or use the jar kinds

[@marieguterman515]

Ethan, I have a jar of that vegetable in my fridge but didn't know what to do with them but now I do! Thanks!

[@natashaancalade6054]

I’m vegan and can’t wait to give this try! I get stuck in a rut sometimes when it comes to meals and this is so different from what I usually make :) Thanks for the ideas!

[@ninaquas_7401]

"Noepuhlayz"

[@jlopez47]

It turned into "Nah-pohlays" later into the video

[@standingoffthecorner]

@@jlopez47 thank christ

[@samishaniyy]

Wow in my town this cactus grows everywhere but we only eat the fruits I should try cooking the cactus itself

[@SolarizeYourLife]

I was in Panama city beach they it grows everywhere and NO ONE uses the fruit or nopales!!! I had the run of the city for the fruit.... Even the local donut shop refused to make jelly for the donuts!! 🤷🙈

[@tvbox6955]

No-PA-LES (PA, as in Papa and LES as in less), not nopoles!

[@subhasish-m]

Yes, this was annoying me

[@appletv7097]

In Spanish the vowels always make the same sound. A-Ah, E-eh, I-ee, O-oh, U-oo. For someone living in Mexico, I wasn’t expecting him to butcher the pronunciation.

[@shepardice3775]

i barely speak Spanish and this pissed me off incredibly. Wonder how the locals took to his accent if that's how he pronounced things.

[@Robojayc]

The fact that he's trying is enough for me. 👍

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

Yeah. I was cringing every time he said it, but at least he's a white boy who's willing to embrace other cultures and the foods to go along with 'em... even if he slaughtered the pronunciation of Nopales! 🤣

[@scottmathes3647]

My wife introduced me to Nopales, and it's one of my favorites, even alone in a tortilla.

[@StephanieLeighG]

Every time I’ve eaten cactus I thought it was pickled or at least marinated in some kind of acidic sauce. This is like a kid learning that pickles don’t just grow that way, except the exact opposite. Cactus is really great, especially if your already used to “slimy” vegetables like okra.

[@etherdog]

REALLY interesting about the flavor of the nopales and the cooking of them, Ethan. Great explanation and demonstration. But maybe you should feature cerveza instead of soda :-)

[@EthanChlebowski]

Definitely a unique ingredient, ton of flavor. Thanks John!

[@UrielAvalosjr]

I love the cute way you say no-poles.

[@TheDeathmail]

Sokka would like this....

[@shadebug]

I realise this is a year old but imma give you a quick hack for pronouncing Spanish: If there’s no accent, stress the second to last syllable. Otherwise stress the accent. That rule will get you through reading the vast majority of Spanish words. This one gets you through the rest: Unless the word ends in a vowel, N or S. Then you stress the last syllable. You can now read any Spanish word that’s been spelt correctly

[@Phatikus]

Try nopales con huevo. Eggs and cactus super good.

[@nmmeswey3584]

^ this, especially in huevos poblanos

[@s.leemccauley7302]

Y con black beans like a tostada. Or even. Refried pinto beans. Great filling combos.

[@carolinalomeli9128]

No- pa- les! So good and good for you!

[@lizcerezo138]

You can add at the end a spone of olive oil, it goes very well with the nopales.

[@EthanChlebowski]

I could totally see that.

[@9114utube]

This vid deserves more views 📺

[@juliocesarzermenolotina3708]

Nopales in red guajillo, ancho, arbol sauce is the best 🇲🇽🎉

[@adrianaangelcoria1248]

I always cook them first. I add salt and some onion and then I prepare a salad.

[@EthanChlebowski]

I've seen them cooked whole first too when used for tacos. It seems like no matter which method, making sure the slime cooks off is the key.

[@s.leemccauley7302]

@@EthanChlebowski they make great poultices when heated. Wounds of all sorts. Just peel one side. Sucks infection out dang well.

[@anthonylopezgallegos2682]

no pa les (accent on the second syllable) nopal (singular) nopales (plural)

[@LuNa4Death]

Yt algorithm brought me to your channel (mini baguettes vid) and gotta say your enthusiasm for exploring and recreating food is great! Subbed! 😊

[@Tino81295]

That is one mean ned flanders moustache you got going on there. Once I saw it, I couldn't unsee it

[@victormalagon5172]

I enjoyed this video so much my mouth was watering. You should try taco de nopales with queso fresco and chile de molcajete.

[@eneasgascaleon8564]

If you don’t like the nopal’s slime add a green tomato shell /leaves when you are cooking the nopales

[@Xixo]

You could put the salt with the nopales first (that way they drain more slime and it dries with the heat) and use less oil, also you could put a pinch of goat cheese or another similar cheese after cooked, good video made me hungry

[@gregvaughntx]

I love your channel and I'm playing catch-up, and I'm so jealous of your food adventures in Mexico City, but I grew up in South Texas and love nopales and it hurts to hear you pronounce the word 😀. In Spanish, if there's no written accent, then the 2nd to last syllable is emphasized. The "PA" has the stress. Also, they are amazing when pickled. I have a lacto-fermented relish I make with nopales, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, corn, and jicama that I keep in my fridge and it goes on all sorts of Mexican dishes.

[@s.leemccauley7302]

You can grow your own .Luther Burbank developed one that doesn't have all of those spines to poke ta with. Good food still.

[@9114utube]

Wow good vid. Learned more than my own Mex family, can't wait to try 🌵 Also, this dish/topping is VERY underappreciated because people can't do it correctly (slimy part) but, if done correctly, it's a really good compliment with other food like eggs, steaks etc. And it is "Super healthy." Thanks for vid 👍 🇺🇸+🇲🇽

[@EricM-gm5wz]

Boil the cut up cactus and strain the water before using it to sautée . Or grill until slightly charred and that takes care of the sliminess. I’ll show you my Mexican card if I have to.

[@ds541015]

Felicidades! ...Congrats!....try it with string cheese ( Oaxaca or mozzarella ) in tacos!

[@josemartinez-kd3dr]

Mmmmm i want some

[@dylanjones3497]

Literal fui a ese mercado hace 5 meses

[@aguirrn]

Nopales!! My mom grows those in her backyard! She use to sell them

[@gregorsamsa1364]

My dad used to sell the stuff he grew in the backyard

[@Twisted_Logic]

I love nopales. They're like bell peppers but better

[@c4n4d4]

Your spanish accent is on point

[@rullmourn1142]

They are at their most tender and juicy in the spring.

[@stiltz86]

i thought i was exotic ordering a tortilla press with some lime treated corn 2 weeks ago. Now i'm looking for cactus leaves. rad channel

[@santodeportes5946]

Nopales are a staple in Sonora

[@markiangooley]

I keep being told that there are spineless varieties of prickly pear that are easier to use for this, but I haven’t seen any at grocery stores. Usually I buy the preserved ones in jars because I’m lazy...

[@SolarizeYourLife]

They actually boil the cactus to cook then rinse to rid the slime (some do it twice), then fry them...

[@yadimagic]

you can ask for nopales without thorns in the market. In the supermarket are already sliced. There's a lot of recipies for cactus. Enjoy

[@arciniega88]

If you boiled them first it’s easier. You get rid of the slime.

[@luyzqint3760]

Orégano, right. That's what they all say.✌️😜

[@ezragonzalez8936]

Sautee is Salteado Salt -tee- ah -dough in Spanish

[@gusale2653]

Chile de arbol was not fried before, these are dried only, normaly air or sun dry, before they are used, they do not fry per say, just little bit of oil and put them on the pan, and turn them several times, just to get darker, but not much, so please do not fry them, we call "tatemado" only , great work with your videos.

[@MrStrigori]

Dunno about Mexican Bayleafs but i heard from alot of people that the "normal" bayleafs in the us are usually much less intense than the ones here in europe. Maybe its similar for mexico

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

The problem is that they tend to sell really desiccated old leaves at most markets in the U.S. So few people here actually know how much more pungent/vibrant the fresher leaves are. If you can get the fresher ones, you're golden!

[@Robutube1]

Hi Ethan - I've just found your channel so I'm on a bit of a binge watch right now. What I really like is that it all feels genuine when you cook because you include the mistakes and mess we all make; that only makes me trust your recipes more. I also like the way you credit the hard working cooks you stumble across and who let you film them. Subbed! When the situation allows it again, I'd recommend exploring the regional cuisines of Spain too (different to that of Mexico); they're robust, tasty dishes and unfairly overshadowed by their French and Italian neighbours.

[@Blakeyhaha]

no dislikes, that's a good sign

[@MightyMase04]

Somebody did it

[@sallyliali7813]

Can you use olive oil ?

[@vanessativa2418]

I prefer the pickled version. Nopales en vinagre

[@sandragrant8271]

Nope to the cactus. Can't the slime be rinsed off first? But I love your channel, I love mexican food! Another good job.

[@amandaximena]

You can boil the first and then rinse them. That will get right of most if nothing all if the goo.

[@Tellmewhy235]

It’s Noh-paul-les. And you say your Mexican? Wait, your Canelo Alvarez right? Wait, your making Mexican food? What happened to your boxing career? Fight Charlo! Side note: Cutting the cactus into strips that a U-shape peeler can cut the pricklies off in a swipe will cut down prep time! After cutting the cactus, salting the cut pieces and letting them rest for at least 20 minutes will help remove moisture which will remove the sliminess. Wash with cold water and they are great in a salad! Fight Charlo!

[@TheSpiralAim]

How did those glochids feel? You were rubbin all up on them.

[@moi712]

Not easy to find nopales in the states you say? Just come to my house, theres a lot in my backyard and front yard. 😂 Also did u know the fruit that grows on the nopales is good too? My parents call them tunas. Idk if thats the right word or if its slang.

[@amandaximena]

That’s what they are called.

[@avemaria3673]

The nopales needs way less water and onion. That amount of onion I could use for a kilogram of Nopales. The more water you add the more "saliva" (sort of speak) the nopales will have

[@avemaria3673]

Also, nopales are sell with or without their thorns, with thorns are cheaper. Next time you should ask for "Nopales limpios o nopales sin espinas" Fun fact: the nopales are in our national flag , those delicious leaves are within us.

[@EthanChlebowski]

I figured they were cheaper, good to know on the spanish, thanks!

[@EthanChlebowski]

There wasn’t any water added. Only to clean the nopales. I prefer more onion in mine, that’s what’s great about cooking we can cook to our preference!

[@gonzalezjosec2004]

"Nope-less" yuummm "NO-Pole-s"

[@sallyliali7813]

The office

[@Fierrow]

use alot of salt and let them sit got 15 mins n all the sticky water comes out of them, and jus strain the water out of it

[@the80sdumpster]

Nopuhlays

[@aryeknaani6192]

noPAles

[@michaelbalfour3170]

Are you making a pun or trying to correct his pronunciation?

[@aryeknaani6192]

@@michaelbalfour3170 how is this a pun

[@elgrandisimojoe]

noH - PAAHH - lehs

[@JeffreyD]

Pronunciation tip: Nopales = No PAW Lays.

[@punkchris]

the pronunciation is closer to “no-Pah-lez”, but its fine since his pronunciation is close enough to know what hes talking about

[@itz_bobsterz]

No Paul es not whatever you said lol

[@marcontreras]

I think it is not topping, it is taco stuffing 🌮

[@EthanChlebowski]

This carnitas place where I had it left it in a small bowl on the table for a topping. You could use it for a filling too though. I have plenty of nopales tacos in my time in cdmx.

[@theindividualchef]

NO PAA LES

[@septane]

no-PA-lays FFS Ethan

[@TheTrillestOne]

noPALes

[@kevinmartinez1886]

Hahah como cuando no sabes limpiar nopales y vez un tutorial de cómo limpiarlos omg

[@mesmer1218]

It’s pronounced No-Pal-Ez.

[@Le_Petomane]

Its not no-per-lays is NO-PAH-LEHS.

[@Gagakki]

No-pa-less Nopales Not no-pul-es

[@dadmom2563]

No pol les

[@merlynseattle]

It is NOPALES, not napoles

[@mayorbeetlejuice4841]

4:45 are you sure you didn’t buy those from a drug dealer. They look like weed.

[@cliffordbradford8910]

OK, his pronunciation of "nopales" is going to hurt my ears for this whole video. Also it would be great if you could have gotten the name of the "taco guy" who you got the recipe from and given his stand some free advertising. Because basically now you've taken his recipe, made yourself some $$ and he's got nothing... Also reference the video where you learned how to scrape the nopales efficiently

[@dinafernandez897]

May I correct you? They are called Nopales, and so you uneed to say no-pa-les . Gracias por el video.

[@danielv2k11p2fo]

I guess that’s one way to pronounce nopales.

[@theoneandonlyyoko]

Hey men, your camera is going to get stolen! Don’t leave it there

[@nekkomemes3647]

Ew, nopales are my least favorite food, but my moms favorite

[@jimoconner1941]

Work on your Spanish pronunciation. Pretty bad.

[@khakhy]

Hijo de su! No PA les, noPAL, no PA les. Your cooking is very good, your Spanish , not so much. Have you ever checked out the"De mi rancho a tu cocina" channel with dona Angela?

[@SunshineGelb]

¿A qué viene tu estúpido comentario? He's not teaching Spanish, moron!🙄

[@Sumofabit]

Please learn to pronounce nopales correctly.

[@EthanChlebowski]

I'll get there :)

[@alexalcantar4032]

Dude, work on that spanish pronunciation, por favor

[@ZonedUp]

It’s pronounced No Pal Ace…. This is hard to watch.