Friday, January 21, 2011

Cafe Rio Pork, Salad Dressing, and Pico

If you are from Utah, you probably find yourself from time to time craving some Cafe Rio. For me it is their pork tacos or salads. When I came across this recipe I went into it a little skeptical, but it is so good that you don't notice whether its the real thing or not. You have to try this recipe!!!

Pork

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 lb pork roast
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 small can green chilies
  • 1/4 can coke or Dr. Pepper (3.0z I used Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper. DO NOT use diet)
  • 1/2 jar salsa (I used plain old pace picante sauce)
  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1 jar Red Taco sauce

Directions

Put onion and pork into crock pot for 6 hours. Drain the liquid and the onions, clean the pot a bit, and shred up the pork. Put the pork back into the crock pot along with the other ingredients and cook for an additional 3 hours (I put mine on the 8 hour setting and let it cook 3.5 hours)

Sorry, all pictures are of leftovers; I forgot to take them day of

Cafe Rio Dressing (makes a lot. You could easily half this recipe and have more than enough dressing)

  • 1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
  • 3 tomatillos (remove papery skin), rough chop
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup (or more) cilantro, rough chop
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp green Tabasco sauce
  • juice from 1 lime

Dump everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate in air-tight container.

Pico De Gallo
  • 3 tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 bunch of cilantro, minced
  • 1/2 sweet onion, minced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • about 1/3-1/2 cup vinegar (use your best judgment)
  • salt and pepper
Mix it up really well and refrigerate. (I forgot the onion and it was still good. Next time I'll remember it and add a jalapeno).


Jordan doesn't like chunky tomatoes so I put it in the blender and it was excellent that way as well.


Lime Cilantro Rice

  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups instant rice
  • juice from 1-2 limes
  • chopped cilantro

Boil water and lime juice. Add rice and cilantro, cover and remove from heat.

Additional Ingredients
  • Uncooked tortillas (This is a must!!!! You can find them at Costco or your regular grocery store in the refrigerated section.)
  • Lettuce
  • Sour Cream
  • Black Beans
  • Cheese
  • Avocado
  • Tortilla Chips

Cook your tortillas (usually 30 second s per side), put meat, salad dressing, pico, rice, sour cream, black beans, cheese, avocado, and lettuce on. Enjoy with a side of chips and salsa!