Category Archives: Recipes

{cafe rio salad}

October 17, 2007


:: ok, i know there have been a million different posts from different people about this recipe, [sorry i’ve forgotten all of them] but i finally tried it + i decided to combine what i liked from all the recipes i found and it turned out yum-o ::

so, here is my version. enjoy! [makes a ton, so invite friends or eat it for three days straight for breakfast lunch + dinner like i did šŸ™‚ ]

{cafe rio pork salad/burritos}cafe rio pork

3 lbs pork roast [ask your butcher where it is if you don’t know.. one time i came home with ham instead of pork..]
16 oz chunky salsa [or you can blend if you don’t want chunky]
1 can coke
2 cup brown sugarplace pork in crock pot + fill half way up the side of the pork with water. cook on high for 4 hours. drain water. cut pork into thirds, then mix sauce [coke, brown sugar, + salsa] and pour on top. cook 4 more hours on low. shred pork. mix back in with sauce if you want it saucy or not.cafe rio rice3 cups uncooked rice
4 cups water
4 tsp chicken bouillion
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 can green chili’s diced
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp zest of lime
2 tbs lime juice
2 tsp sugar
1 tbs butter
1/2 onion, choppedsaute onion, garlic + butter until the onion is soft. add water, rice, and remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. after it begins to boil rapidly, reduce the heat to low and cover with the lid + simmer for about 20 minutes.cafe rio creamy cilantro tomatillo salad dressing1 package dry hidden valley ranch salad dressing
1 cup mayo
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 large clove garlic
3 small-medium tomatillos, husk off [like tomatoes but green and has a husk on it]
1/3 cup buttermilk
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or 1 small jalapeno) – optionalplace all ingredients in a blender + blend until smooth. chill in fridge at least 1 hour before serving, then it will thicken.

black beans
[i just used a can of black beans without anything else, but this recipe looks good too]

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 cup tomato juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs fresh chopped cilantroin a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. add beans, tomato juice, and salt. continually stir until heated through. just before serving stir in the cilantro.assembly salad- order of assembly
tortilla – i use the tortilla land brand of uncooked flour tortillas from costco or sams. they are awesome and taste like cafe rio’s homemade tortillas
shredded colby +monterray jack cheese
rice
beans
pork
lettuce
pico de gallo – [or chopped tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, lime juice]
guacamole
feta cheese crumbles
cilantro
lime wedge [for lime juice]
tortilla strips
cilantro tomatillo dressing
burrito

toritilla
rice beans
pork
shredded cheese
any other toppings wanted
roll it upENJOY!p.s. i found a chicken recipe if you would like to substitute chicken instead of pork.cafe rio chicken

1 small bottle of kraft zesty italian dressing
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs cumin
3 cloves garlic-minced
5 lbs chicken breast

cook all together in a crockpot for 4 hours on high, shred, then cook for an additional 1 hour.ENJOY!

{sweet + sour chicken}

September 28, 2007

:: today is cleaning day [frown] but i thought i’d quickly share one of my recipes from girls night that i promised.. enjoy ::

sweet + sour chicken

[from the april 1991 friend magazine]

4-8 skinned, boned chicken breast halves
1 egg, beaten
cornstarch
oil
sauce (recipe follows)

1. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg, then roll them in the cornstarch.
2. In a small amount of oil, fry the chicken until just browned.
3. Place the chicken in a shallow baking pan, pour the sauce over it, then bake it uncovered at 325° F (160° C) for one hour, turning the chicken every 15 minutes.

sauce
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons catsup
1/2 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix all ingredients together.

serve with rice

*sometimes i double the sauce recipe and keep some aside to put on rice after it is done.
*also, you can add green peppers, red peppers, pineapples, or onions.

PF Changs Lettuce Wraps

June 25, 2007

I tried these out for dinner last night and they were tasty! They did taste a lot like PF Changs!! Yum!

 

PF Changs Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:

Marinade
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons sherry wine or red wine (optional, I didn’t have any so I didn’t use it)
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons soy sauce
½ tsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper

Cooking Sauce
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sherry or red wine (again optional)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons corn starch

Filling Ingredients
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced very small
5 Tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
1 teaspoon ginger, minced or grated
2 teaspoons garlic, minced or grated
½ cup green onions, minced
1 cup of shiitake mushrooms, minced (dried or fresh… if dried soak in water for 30 minutes prior to using and remove woody stems)
1 (8 ounce can) water chestnuts, minced
1 package Chinese cellophane noodles, cooked to pkg. directions (optional)
*12 iceberg lettuce cups (washed)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients for ā€œCooking Sauceā€ and set aside in a small bowl.
2. In a medium bowl combine ā€œmarinadeā€ ingredients and mix well. Add chicken and stir to coat. Stir in 1 Tbs. oil and let sit for 15 minutes.

3. Heat a wok or large skillet on medium-high heat. Add 3 Tbs. oil, then add chicken and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. Add 2 Tbs. Oil back to the pan and add ginger, garlic, and green onion. Stir fry for one minute. Then add mushrooms and water chestnuts and stir fry 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Stir in the mixed ā€œcooking sauceā€ to the pan. Cook until thickened and hot and chicken is cooked.
5. Pour cooked cellophane noodles onto a dish in small pieces & pour chicken on top and serve on lettuce.

Special Dipping Sauce
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil or chili oil with sesame flavor
1 tablespoon Chinese hot mustard (or less if you don’t care for spicy food)
1 tsp garlic and chili sauce/paste

Combine ingredients and spoon over wraps. Adjust amounts according to your liking.

 

**Most ingredients can be found at an Asian Market.