Copycat Café Rio Pork

3 lb. pork roast
16 oz. salsa
1 can of Coca Cola
1 can green chiles
2 cups brown sugar
water

Fill your crock pot with just the roast, and fill it half way with just the water.
Cook on high for 5 hours.
Take the pork out after the 5 hours, and drain the liquid.
Cut the roast into 3 or 4 sections and place back into the crock pot.
Puree the salsa and chiles in the blender and transfer to a bowl.
Add the Coke and brown sugar and mix.
Pour over the roast and cook on high for 3 more hours.
Shred with a fork.


I definitely don't think this is an exact copycat, but it was good nonetheless!

I've also come across a recipe for Café Rio Rice, but I haven't tried it yet.
3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Sweet Rice

Ingredients:
1/2-1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 of a white onion, chopped (add more or less to your taste)
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
1 1/3 cups white rice
3 cups chicken broth
1/4-1/2 cup white sugar

Directions:
Put a little oil in bottom of pan (maybe about 1/2-1 tablespoon).
Saute chopped onion until transluecent. Add the chopped cinlantro (no big stems) and saute a minute more.
Add the rice, cooking until it is light brown (being careful not to burn).
Combine the chicken broth and sugar, letting sugar disolve. Then stir into rice until combined. Bring to a boil.
Cover and let cook on low, med-low until rice is done, about 25-30 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

I think this is much better if you add lime juice to the finished rice. I want to try putting the lime juice in while it is still cooking, but haven't yet. I think it is somewhat similar to Bajio's but definitely not exact.

Chocolate Eclair Dessert

This is so easy and so yummy!

Ingredients:

24 low fat graham crackers (about 1 box)

2 small sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mixes

4 1/2 C skim milk

12 oz cool whip lite (thawed)

1 small sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix

Directions:

Place 8 crackers in bottom of 9x13" pan. Combine vanilla pudding and 3 cups milk: mix well: let sit 2 minutes. Gently fold in cool whip. Pour half on graham crackers. Top with another 8 crackers. pour remaining pudding mixture over crackers. Top with last 8 crackers. Mix chocolate pudding with 1 1/2 cups milk. (Make sure you mix up the chocolate pudding and milk very well or it will be lumpy.)Let sit 2 minutes. Spread over graham crackers. Let sit at least 6 hours or overnight in refrigerator to soften crackers. Garnish top with strawberries before serving, if desired. Serves 18.

Crockpot Kalua Pork

Serves: 6-8

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 hours

Ingredients:

4 to 5 pounds pork butt or shoulder
1 cup apple cider
1 cup water
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2-3 tablespoons Hawaiian salt (regular sea salt will work)

Directions:

Rub pork with Hawaiian salt, liquid smoke and place in crockpot. Add apple cider and water. Turn crockpot on low and leave it to cook for 10-12 hours, flipping pork over halfway through. Take meat out of crockpot and shred with two forks. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

Italian Chicken & Vegetable Bake

Ingredients:

4-6 chicken breasts
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1-2 cans cut green beans
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
½ bottle Italian dressing (the cheap generic works just as well)

Directions:

Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil with enough hanging over the edges to cover the top (or use a baking bag). Place chicken, potatoes, onions, and green beans in pan. Cover with dressing. Cover pan with the remaining foil. Bake at 375 degrees for an hour or until chicken is cooked through.

Shoyu Chicken

Ingredients:
1 C. shoyu (soy sauce)
¾ C. water
¾ C. sugar (brown or white)
2 cloves garlic, mashed
grated gingerroot to taste (thumb-size)
2 ½ lbs. chicken thighs or wings

Directions:
Skin chicken – use dry washcloth to keep a hold of the skin(much easier if frozen). Throw chicken in a pot with all of the other ingredients and boil, then simmer until done (about an hour or less).

Serve with rice and salad.

Crockpot Baked Potatos

Did you know you can make baked potatoes in your crock pot? They need to be wrapped in foil, you cook then on high for about 5 hours. This is great to know for the summer when you don't want to turn on your oven.