Lentejas con Nopales

1. Add water to a pot and boil the nopales with 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 of the onion. Boil for 8-10 minutes or until the nopales are a dark green.
2. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.
3. In a separate pot, add 6 cups of water and 1 cup of lentils. Boil on low for 30-40 minutes.
4. While the lentils boil, in a separate pot, add the guajillo chiles and tomatoes. Boil for 5-7 minutes or until the tomatoes are slightly blistered and the chiles are smooth.
5. Blend the tomato and guajillo chiles with 1/4 of an onion, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cups of the water that you boiled them in, and seasonings to taste.
6. Strain the salsa roja into the lentils. Cover and cook for 5 minutes before adding the nopales. Cover and cook.
7. Chop the queso panela into cubes and chop the cilantro.
8. Bring the lentils down to a light simmer and add the queso panela and chopped cilantro. Add additional seasonings if needed.
9. When the lentils are soft, the soup is ready. Enjoy in a bowl!