cafe yummy

Who besides me loves Cafe Rio? I get the same thing every time I go, the Sweet Pork Salad with the Cilantro-lime vinaigrette dressing. Yummy! So, imagine my surprise when my bestie Noel told me she had a recipe for the same delicious pork and Cilantro-lime dressing. Out of pure curiosity (and some doubt) I made it for dinner yesterday and I was really happy how it all turned out. Nothing can beat the original but it came pretty darn close.

For the kids I made them a plate with Cilantro Rice, pork, and some tortillas (all separate). For the adults I layered a bowl with the cilantro rice, then chopped romaine, then the sweet pork, and the dressing on top. I had tortillas on the side. It was simple and delicious! Enjoy!

Sweet Pork Recipe

2 pounds pork
3 cans Dr. Pepper
1/4 c. brown sugar
Dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can diced green chilies
3/4 (10oz) can red enchilada sauce
1 c. brown sugar

Put the pork in a heavy duty Ziploc bag to marinade. Add about a can and a half of Dr. Pepper and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of Dr. Pepper, water, and garlic salt in crock-pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Dr. Pepper, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste). If it looks too thick, add more Dr. Pepper little by little.

Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours. That's it!

Here is the link to the original recipe... we used Dr. Pepper instead of Coke at my friend's urging and it came out great!
http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2008/09/cafe-rio-sweet-pork.html


Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. buttermilk
2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno (I used some jalapeno slices from a jar)

Mix all ingredients together in the blender.

Here is the link to the dressing.
http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2007/11/jared-and-i-love-cafe-rio.html