Cafe Rio Recipes

Just putting these here so I don't lose them:

BLACK BEANS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

In 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. (**NOTE** we added a can of corn, drained, to the beans with a dash of cumin and chili powder, it was AWESOME! We recommend doing this even though it's not "traditional Cafe Rio")

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2 tamatillos
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. diced jalepeno (canned) --you can use less if you don't like it spicy at all. I like a little kick.
Juice of 2 limes
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 c. balsamic vinaigrette (not vinegar... we used Kraft)

In a food processor or blender, combine tamatillos, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, and sugar. After it is all blended up well combine with balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

Cafe Rio Pork

1 pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 can Coke (don't use diet)
1 jar salsa (fresh is best!)
3/4 c brown sugar
1 T cumin
garlic salt to taste

Cover roast half way with water in slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4hr. Mix remaining ingredients in bowl. Drain water, cut in quarters and pour Coke mixture over top. Cook another 3-4hr. Shred and serve.

Cafe Rio Chicken

5 lbs chicken
1 small bottle of Zesty Italian dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high 5-7 hr. Drain some of the liquid and shred chicken.

Lime Rice

2-3 T oil
1/4 c chopped cilantro
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 c rice
1/2 c lime juice
4 c chicken broth
Heat oil in pan. Saute garlic, cilantro, and rice over medium heat about 5 min. Add liquid and bring to boil. Turn heat to low, cover with lid, and cook 25-30 min.

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
4-6 T olive oil
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 c ranch dressing
4 oz salsa verde
1 c plain yogurt, mayo, or buttermilk
Juice of 1 lime
Garlic salt to taste
Place cilantro, green onions, and olive oil in blender or food processor and process until pesto consistency. Add ranch dressing, yogurt, salsa verde, lime juice, and garlic salt.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Taste better if made few hours ahead. Will last 2-3 weeks in fridge.

With your eyes closed

So my boy is in kindergarten and has started working on homework assignments this week.
There is a calendar with 30 different assignments on it that he must complete before the end of the month. He can choose any one he wants to do and he just colors in that day when he is done.
Last night he randomly picked one and it was practice writing your first name five times.
And then this happened:
Hubby: OOoh...you picked practice writing your first name five times
Monkeyface: Awww....I don't like that one.
Hubby: Come on...you can do that one with your eyes closed.
Monkeyface grabs a piece of paper & a crayon, sits down at his table & proceeds to close his eyes. He then writes his first name five times with his eyes closed.
HA!