Cafe Rio Salad

Points? Points? Who cares about that? When it comes to this salad, I am not skimping. My friend Taylor and I got together to make freezer meals and this was one of them. I love it and so will you!!! With a few changes of my own, this is a great recipe to make when you are going to have company.

Cilantro-Lime Rice : Version 1
1 C Real Rice (long-grain, white rice)
1 tsp. butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice or more to taste
2 tsp. sugar
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro or more to taste

In a saucepan or rice cooker combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 tsp. lime, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice. (Follow directions for your rice cooker. I usually have to add more liquid to mine.)
You should double this to make enough rice.


Sweet Chicken, Beef or Pork: Version 1
Sauce:
1, 32 oz can of red enchilada sauce
1 cup brown sugar (or less)

Cook a small beef or pork roast in 1 can of sprite or coke and 3 cups of water for 6 hours in crock pot on low; drain and shred. Mix in sauce and cook for 1 more hour.

To cook the chicken (about 6 large breasts) just place in crock pot with the enchilada sauce cook on high 4-6 hrs or low 6-8 hrs. Add the brown sugar after the chicken is shredded.


Café Rio Pork or Beef
Night Before:
3 1/2-4 lb. pork or beef roast
2 T. brown sugar
1 to 1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt

Mix and rub on roast. Put in crock pot on low. Next morning add:
1 can coke
1 C chicken broth
2 Cloves garlic
1 onion

1 hr before serving shred roast and add 1 c. brown sugar.


Café Rio Ranch Dressing :
1 cup light mayo
1 cup butter milk
1 1/2 pkgs ranch dressing mix
3 tomatillos
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 C or less lime juice
1 small jalapeño seeded.
*put all in blender and blend until smooth; chill until ready to use.

Put your salad together with any additional items you may like. I use fresh red or green lettuce, black beans, corn and onions that I have simmered together. Crushed chips if desired and cheese if desired. I have found that with this recipe there is no need for salsa, however, it would add to it. I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as Taylor and I have.