Why?
Because it is a semi-psuedo-recipe-meant-to-kind-of-sort-of-duplicate-the real-thing-but-doesn't-really-fully-match-up-in-a-taste-test-but-is-a-good-stand-in-for-the-real-thing-when-you-live-hundreds-of-miles-away-from-the-nearest-Café-Rio.
Also, this isn't my recipe, and I'm not sure where it came from.
Oh, and it's super nummy.
Barbeque pork
Cook 4-5 pounds of pork roast in a crock-pot on low for 12-14 hours.
ADD:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cumin
20 ounces of Coca Cola (I use caffeine free, it doesn't really matter much.)
1 Large bottle of Red Taco Sauce (La Victoria works)
Cook two more hours, and shred the meat and then cook for two more hours.
RICE:
Mix and cook together:
2 cups rice
4 cups chicken broth
½ cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped cilantro (less is okay, do this to taste)
1 can diced green chiles (the small can, I think is 4 oz)
Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp..)
Salad Dressing:
3 tomatoes
1 package buttermilk ranch mix
2 cloves of garlic
½ cup mayo
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup sour cream
1 cup cilantro (again, to taste)
¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
Blend all in a food processor or blender.
Home cooked pinto beans
2 quarts water
1 onion, roughly chopped
4 cups sorted and rinsed pinto beans
4 teaspoons of salt
Bring water, onion and beans to a boil. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer for 3-5 hours. Stir each hour and add additional water if needed. After the beans are cooked add the salt, (adding before hand will crystallize the beans and keep them from getting soft). Leave the beans whole and serve with Café Rio Pork Salad. Or, mash them and use them as refried beans, making sure to pour out most of the water first.
Pico de Gallo
1 ½ pounds plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ cup cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
combine all ingredients. Adjust seasonings to taste. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving
Complete the salad by layering the ingredients in this order:
A tortilla (or cheese crisp)
Rice (from above)
Home cooked Pinto Beans (from above)
Barbeque pork (from above)
Lettuce
Pico de Gallo (from above)
Salsa
Guacamole
Café Rio Salad dressing (from above)
