How to satisfy those Cafe Rio cravings...

One of the hardest things about moving away from Utah (besides leaving our family), was moving away from Cafe Rio and Durangos. They have nothing comparable to it here in Connecticut. We crave Cafe Rio often so we had to do something about it.  I found tons of Cafe Rio copy cats online and we have Cafe Rio nights ever couple of months or so. The recipes never disappoint. For those that are interested here are the recipes: 

Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic (minced)
5 lbs chicken breast  

Directions: Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook for 1 additional hour.

Café Rio Rice
6 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic (minced)
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)
Directions: Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.
 
Café Rio Tomatillo Dressing
1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as to the recipe)
2 tomatillos
½ bunch of cilantro
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeño (without seeds unless you like it spicy)
Directions: Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.  

Café Rio Black/Pinto Beans 

2 Tablespoons Onion, finely chopped 

2 cloves Garlic, Finely Chopped

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

½ teaspoons Cumin 

1 can (15-16oz) Black Beans or Pinto Beans

8 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce 

3 Tablespoons Cilantro, Chopped

Directions: Chop onions and garlic. Heat extra virgin olive oil on medium high heat and cook onions and garlic with cumin until soft. Add all other ingredients and simmer at least ten 
minutes. 

We like to make homemade tortillas too and place everything on top of them with romaine lettuce. Some of the toppings we like are shredded cheese, sour cream, homemade guacamole, homemade pico de gallo, and homemade salsa. Can't forget the tortilla strips either. We were soooo excited to find them at the grocery store! :) That's how you do Cafe Rio homemade! Kind of fattening but sooooo worth it.
 

 Muy bueno!!!! 

Halloween Traditions...

 

Halloween is less than a week away and I am getting really excited. I love Halloween and all the creativity it inspires in people. Last night Clint and I continued with our tradition that we started when we were dating.  We went and bought two pumpkins and carved them while we watched a Halloween movie. This year the Halloween movie was Lost Boys that Clint bought for me for my birthday. It is quite a cheesy 80's movie, but I love it.  We snacked on some whoppers and butterfingers and a couple hours later we ended up with our masterpieces. I must say that we are improving each year.  Oreo wasn't sure what to think of it, but he got brave enough near the end to sniff the pumpkins (proof up above). My favorite part is roasting the pumpkin seeds after carving the pumpkins.  This year we rolled them in melted butter and salt and they were delicious. I love Halloween.  

Our supplies (got to have the chocolate!)

The finished product

Doesn't he look happy? He sooo did not want to be near the pumpkins

He loves Clint

Clint's pumpkin

My pumpkin

Mmmm.... pumpkin seeds