Cravings

So tonight I had/am having the most intense craving for a Cafe Rio (or Costa Vida, which ever you prefer) Pulled Pork Salad. My dear friend KaraLynne found the recipe and shared it with me this summer. I've cooked it several times and to tell you the truth, the homemade version is WAY better than the restuarant stuff, however the restaurant is still good at 9:30 PM. :) I don't have a photo, but due to this craving, which I am trying to fend off by eating apples instead, I decided to post the recipe for all to see (and use preferably!). I believe she got this recipe off of http://www.recipezaar.com/ which is a pretty nifty website for "copy cat" recipes. Anyway... I'll try to post a "Sam's Favorite Recipe of the Week" from now on with photos. If you guys have questions or comments, let me know. The one for this week is:

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork (in crock pot)

2-3 lb pork tenderloin roast

1- 15 OZ can of mild red enchilada sauce

1 small can green chilies

1 Cup brown sugar

1 clove minced garlic

1- 12 oz can Dr Pepper

Salt / pepper to taste

Put pork in crock pot, add all ingredients except soda. Pour soda over all ingredients and cook on low for at least 8 hrs or high for 5. Cook until super tender and falling apart. At least 1 hr before serving shred pork and return to sauce to cook.

Part Two: Lime Cilantro Ranch dressing - I make this in the morning right after doing the meat and refrigerate until later.

1 pkt Traditional Hidden Valley Ranch mix

1 Cup sour cream

1 Cup buttermilk

2 Tomatillos, remove husk and dice

1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro

1 clove crushed garlic

Juice of 1 lime

1 Jalepeno (without seeds)

Dice tomatillos and Jalepeno. Put tomatillos, jalepeno, garlic, and cilantro leaves in blender until purreed. Then add buttermilk, sour cream, lime juice, and ranch dressing mix. Blend until well mixed. Then add milk until the consistancy you want (runny or thick, but it will thicken a bit in the fridge). This will make almost 2 pints of dressing and probably does not need to be doubled even for large groups.

For the meal

Buy uncooked tortillas (they have them at costco or at any grocery store - if at the grocery store they are usually at the end of the meat section near the mexican foods like flan, pigs feet etc) Cook the uncooked tortillas on a dry non stick skillet until cooked on both sides. Have rice and heated black beans ready for the meal too. Serve on fresh cooked tortilla, rice, black beans, sweet pork, shredded romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, fresh salsa or pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. I also like to make those little corn chips too by frying a few corn tortilla strips (cut strips first before frying). I also sprinkle parmasean cheese on top it all too like cafe rio for looks and taste.

Enjoy -- although the dressing and meat is really easy this meal is kind of a big one to prepare because at the last minute you have to make the rice, heat the can of black beans (oh I add about 2 T of brown sugar to the black beans) and have the salsa and other stuff ready.

Good Luck Cooking!