Shrimp Patties in Red Sauce with Nopales

  • 2 ounces of dry shrimp powder
  • 3 eggs (separate whites and yolks)
  • Oil for frying

For the red sauce:

  • 5 dried guajillo chiles (seeded and deveined)
  • 2 arbol chiles (optional, for heat)
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 2 ½ cups cooked nopales (cactus paddles) welled rinse.
  • 1 sprig of cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Oil for sautéing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce:
  • Boil the guajillo chiles, arbol chiles, and tomato until soft.
  • Blend with garlic, cumin, oregano, and a bit of water until smooth.
  • Strain the sauce and sauté it in a pan with a little oil.
  • Add cooked nopales and cilantro, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  1. Make the patties:
  • Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gently fold in yolks and shrimp powder.
  • Heat oil in a skillet and spoon in the mixture to form small patties. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
  1. Combine and serve:
  • Add the fried patties to the simmering red sauce and let them soak for a few minutes.
  • Serve hot with white rice and warm corn tortillas.