Shrimp Stuffed Nopales Recipes

SHRIMP STUFFED PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Remove stems from mushroom caps and dice stems, set aside.
• Carefully scrape away the dark gills from the bottoms of the mushroom caps and discard.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add shrimp, onion, chopped stems and bell pepper to skillet, sauteing until shrimp is pink and other ingredients are softened, being careful not to overcook the shrimp (shrimp will get rubbery if overcooked).
• Remove mixture from heat and place in a large mixing bowl (do not drain liquid).
• Add cream cheese to mixture and stir well.
• Then add all other ingredients, except mushroom caps and one half cup shredded cheddar cheese, and mix well.
• Spray an 8x11 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Carefully stuff the mushroom caps with stuffing mixture and place into baking dish.
• Evenly spread remaining half cup of cheddar cheese over stuffed caps.
• Place dish into preheated oven, and bake for apx. 45 minutes to one hour.

HUARACHES - STUFFED PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS PADDLES - STUFFED NOPALE

Steps:

• Place the whole cactus paddles, onion and garlic in a large pot with water to cover and salt to taste.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes, or until the nopales are tender but still firm.
• Drain and rinse.
• Starting at the wide, curved end, carefully slice each paddle horizontally, as if butterflying a chop for stuffing.
• Do not cut all the way through to the narrow end (the thicker part where the pad is attached to the main plant) but leave approximately 1 1/2" uncut.
• Place a slice of cheese between the two sections and press flat.
• Dredge the paddles in flour.
• Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks, and fold in the lightly beaten egg yolks.
• Pour enough oil into large skillet so that it comes up at least 1/2 inch.
• Heat the oil until sizzling hot.
• Dip the stuffed nopales in the egg batter to coat and fry in the hot oil until golden brown on each side.
• Serve immediately with red salsa.

BAKED STUFFED SHRIMP WITH RITZ CRACKERS®

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Mix crushed round crackers, parsley, saltines, celery salt, and garlic together in a large bowl. Add scallops, crabmeat, melted butter, and cooking wine; mix stuffing well.
• Place a shrimp on a flat work surface. Slice horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
• Stuff each shrimp with a heaping tablespoon of stuffing and place back-side up in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining shrimp and stuffing. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons water to the bottom of the baking dish to keep shrimp moist during baking.
• Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp are opaque and stuffing is beginning to brown, 15 to 18 minutes.

SHRIMP-STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut peppers in half lengthwise and discard seeds. Place peppers, cut side down, in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Brush with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with pepper and salt. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion and celery in remaining butter until tender. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add the shrimp, cheese blend, rice, lemon juice and seasonings; heat through. Spoon into pepper halves. , Place in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over peppers. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

SHRIMP-STUFFED NOPALES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, and tomato and sauté for 8 minutes, or until the pepper is nearly tender. Add the shrimp and sauté for 2 minutes, or until just cooked through. Season the stuffing to taste with salt and pepper, and set it aside.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut a slit along one long side of each nopal without cutting all the way through, to make something resembling a pita pocket. Grill the nopales for 4 minutes per side, or until they are tender and grill marks appear.
• Stuff the nopales with the shrimp mixture, dividing it equally, and serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.