I had this several years ago at a friends house and instantly fell in love with it! It is a bit time consuming, but it is well worth the effort! Some of the items you could easily make ahead of time to save on preparation time. Also, some of the items you could buy pre-made (like the black beans, pico, and guacamole). You also could use crushed up corn chips instead of frying the tortillas strips. But if you take all the shortcuts, you won't come out with the same great dish. But whatever you do, don't skip the pork, rice, and dressing recipes. They are what make it!
Café Rio pork
6 lbs. pork
1 16 oz. bottle of salsa
1 can coke
2 c. brown sugar
Place pork in crock pot and fill it 1⁄2 way up the pork with water. Cook on High for 5 hours. Drain off water. Cut pork in thirds. Mix together sauce remaining ingredients and put on top of pork. Cook an additional 3 hours on high. Shred pork with forks. Leave it on low until ready to serve.
Café Rio Dressing (the best ever)
1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet
I cup buttermilk
I cup mayo
2 tomatillos (remove husks and dice)
1⁄2 bunch of cilantro
1/2-1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 -1 small jalapeño, seeds removed
Use a food processor or blender to blend all the ingredients well. Store in air tight container and refrigerate.
Cafe Rio rice
In sauce pan sauté:
2 TB butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
In large pot bring to a boil:
6 2/3 cups water
8 tsp. Chicken bullion
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 tsp. Cumin
2 small can diced green chilies
1 TB lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
Add onion and garlic to boiling water. Add 3 cups long grain rice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
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 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.
Pico de Gallo
Chop & mix:
4 tomatoes
1/4 purple onion
1/4 bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. Lime
1 tsp. Salt
Guacamole
2 ripe avocados gently mashed
1 minced garlic clove
1 tsp course salt
1-2 chopped tomatoes
1/4 chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 TB lime juice
Lettuce
Red & Green leaf lettuce, shredded
Crispy Strips
I use a pizza cutter to cut tortillas into strips and then fry them.
Salad Order
Warm tortilla
Shredded colby & monterey jack cheese
Pork
Rice
Beans
Lettuce
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Cilantro
Parmesan Cheese
Crispy chips
Dressing
You can also serve with a wedge if lime.
