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Close up of pork ribs with cactus in salsa verde plated. Rice and black beans on the side of ribs
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Pork Ribs With Cactus In Salsa Verde

A delicious pairing of pork ribs, cactus and salsa verde!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds pork spare ribs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Granulated garlic to taste
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil or pork lard
  • 1 large white onion peeled (slice half into strips, leave other half as is)
  • 6 cloves of garlic leave 3 whole, 3 minced and set aside for later
  • 12 large tomatillos peeled and washed
  • 3-4 jalapenos stems removed
  • 3-4 serranos stems removed
  • Handful of fresh cilantro 1/3 cup
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 cups nopalitos previously cooked

Instructions

  • Slice the ribs into smaller sections. Season lightly with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Let them come up to room temperature.
  • In a large pot, add the tomatillos, jalapenos, serranos, 1/2 of the onion and 3 cloves of garlic. Cover with water and bring up to a boil ant medium heat. Cook ingredients just until tomatillos turn from bright green to opaque olive green. Cover the pot and remove from heat.
  • In a large heavy pot, add 3 tbsp of oil or lard. Preheat at medium for a few minutes.
  • Sear and brown the seasoned pork in the preheated oil, Turn as needed. You may need to sear in batches.
  • While pork browns, using tongs, transfer the tomatillos, chile peppers, onion and garlic that were cooked, into the blender. Pour in 4 cups of the cooking water. Add the fresh cilantro, salt and pepper, to taste. Blend on high until smooth. Set aside.
  • Once all the pork is browned well, add the remaining onion and garlic to the pork. Also stir in the cumin seeds, oregano and bay leaves. Sautee for a few minutes.
  • Pour in the reserved salsa from the blender. Stir well to combine, scraping off the bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • When it comes up to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Taste for salt. Cover 3/4 of the way and cook for 35-45 minutes or until pork is very tender.
  • Once pork is tender, fold in the previously cooked nopalitos. Stir to combine. Cover and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Yields 6 servings.

Notes

This recipe can be prepared with beef short ribs, country style beef ribs or even chicken pieces.