Tag: Southwest cuisine

Many people are surprised to learn that numerous types of cacti are edible, offering a range of culinary applications. However, the presence of sharp spines, and especially the tiny, barbed glochids, requires careful identification and preparation to safely eat cactus with spikes.

Historically, nopales, the pads of the prickly pear cactus, have been a dietary staple in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. This versatile desert food is gaining popularity, but many people are unsure about its edibility and safety due to its intimidating spines and glochids.

According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, Moe's Southwest Grill has confirmed that its dressings, sauces, and salsas contain no animal ingredients, meaning many options are suitable for vegans. This makes ordering a plant-based meal at Moe's much easier, as long as you know which Moe's sauces are vegan and which to avoid.

A 1.5 fl oz serving of a creamy restaurant-style Santa Fe dressing can contain upwards of 200 calories. Knowing how many calories are in Santa Fe dressing is key for health-conscious diners, as the nutritional content can vary dramatically depending on the ingredients used, especially comparing creamy and vinaigrette-style recipes.

Southwestern cuisine is a culinary fusion influenced by Indigenous American and Spanish cultures. Southwest chicken salad is a flavorful dish that embodies this rich heritage, combining hearty, protein-rich chicken with a medley of fresh ingredients and bold spices.

While many people assume ocotillo is a type of cactus due to its thorny, desert-dwelling nature, it actually belongs to a different plant family, the Fouquieriaceae. But can you eat ocotillo cactus? The answer is yes, with the vibrant, scarlet flowers and seeds being historically used as food by indigenous peoples.