Cactus Salad

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh or prepared cactus paddles or nopales, needles removed
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 Italian Roma tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/2 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1 to 2 medium serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely diced
• 2 bunches cilantro, leaves only, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely grated Cotija or Anejo cheese
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 to 6 lettuce leaves
• 1 avocado, peeled, seeded and sliced for garnish
• 1/4 cup cracked black pepper garnish, recipe follows
• 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt