Cafe Rio

 I love Garlic Black Beans, Sweet Rice, and pulled Pork as a meal. 

 These recipes have been floating around out there for sometime now.  I just wanted to share them with you just in case you haven't had this before.  The pulled pork is also good inside a tortilla.  We usually just make a yummy salad with it. 

 PULLED PORK


1 Pork Loin
1 Onion
2-3 cans of El Pato
2-3 Cans of Tomato Sauce
2-3 Cans of brown Sugar

I cook this the night before.  Put an onion cut up on the bottom of the crock pot.  If you need to, cut the Pork Loin in half so it fits inside the crock pot.  Turn on low just before you go to bed and let it cook all night.  The next morning it will be cooked.  Take the pork out and shred- it.  Dump everything out of the crock pot.  Add the El Pato, Tomato sauce, brown sugar(just use one of the empty cans of El Pato to measure), and pork all together.  Let it cook on low all day until you are ready to eat.  
 *If I have a huge pork loin I add 3 cans of everything.  If it's medium I add 2 of  everything.  


SWEET RICE

2 Tbs. Oil
1 Large Onion, Chopped
1 Bunch of Fresh Cilantro
2 1/2 Cups of White Rice, long grain
5 1/4 Cups Chicken broth, or bullion
1/2 cup of sugar

In a large pot saute the onion in oil until translucent.  Add the chopped cilantro (no big steams) and saute a minute more.  Add the rice, cooking and stirring until it begins to brown (be careful not to burn).  Add the chicken broth and sugar - stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and let cook on low until rice is done, about 25 minutes.  Fluff with a fork before serving.  



BLACK BEANS

3 Cans of Black Beans (not drained)
3-4 cloves of garlic
6 Tbs Oil
6 Tbs. cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp Cumin
1 cup Tomatoe Juice    

Heat oil and cook garlic and cumin till garlic starts to pop.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.  Add lime juice to taste. 



BUTTERMILK DRESSING

 5 Tomatillos
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 pkg dry Ranch Mix
1 cup cilantro
3-6 green onion ends (becareful these can taste very strong in the dressing)
1 tsp minced garlic or 2 cloves
3 tsp sugar
juice from 1/2 a lime.

Boil tomatillos in salt water for 5 minutes.  Cut out the top.  Put all ingredients in a blender.  Blend together and refrigerate till ready to serve. 

Peanut Butter Bars

This recipe came from Rian.  Sometimes I double the chocolate topping but it's amazing without it doubled.  


Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
By: Home Run Recipes

Peanut Butter Bottom:
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
3/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
2/3 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs 
1/2 Cup Melted Butter

Line a 8x8 or 9x9 pan with foil.  Combine all above ingredients.  Press into the bottom of the pan.

Topping:

2/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

4 1/2 tsp. Creamy Peanut Butter
1 tsp. Butter

Combine all the toppings together in a microwave safe bowl.  Then spread over the top of the Peanut Butter Bottom.   The Chocolate will be thick but still spreadable.  Cool and enjoy.

Pizza Rolls

This are a fun new twist to eating pizza. My kids ate them so fast after I fried them I never got a picture of one finished.  We dip these in pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce. 

1. Take an egg roll wrapper and cut in in half.

2. Put 2 pepperoni's on one side and half of a cheese stick.

3. Fold in the sides.



4. Roll it up.  Egg roll wrappers stay sealed if you get them wet on the last edge you are rolling.  Read the back of the egg roll wrapper package for a better understanding of this.

5. This is what they look like right before you put them in the fryer.  We heat oil and once it's ready just drop them in and cook until the egg roll wrapper is browned.  Takes less then 5 minutes per one.  The large one on the top of the picture is a whole egg roll wrapper and a whole cheese stick.  It tasted great but my kids preferred the little ones.



6. Once they have cooled off dip in your favorite pizza sauce.



PIZZA ROLLS
By: Home Run Recipes

1 package of Egg roll wrappers
1 package of cheese sticks (cut in half)
1 package of pepperoni
pizza sauce
oil (heated)



1. Take an egg roll wrapper and cut in in half.
2. Put 2 pepperoni's on one side and half of a cheese stick.
3. Fold in the sides.
4. Roll it up.  Egg roll wrappers stay sealed if you get them wet on the last edge you are rolling.  Read the back of the egg roll wrapper package for a better understanding of this.
5. Heat oil and once it's ready just drop them in and cook until the egg roll wrapper is browned.  Takes less then 5 minutes per one.
6. Once they have cooled off dip in your favorite pizza sauce.