If you live in Utah or Vegas or frequently visit either, you probably know about Cafe Rio. They have been a phenomenon in Utah for several years now & they have finally opened a couple of restaurants in Vegas. My favorite thing to get there is the sweet pork (lately my favorite has been the pork tostada but the pork burrito, pork tacos, and pork salad are fabulous as well - just really big). I also love their cilantro ranch dressing that they serve with their salad or tostada. I have looked for copycat recipes and have actually found some that are pretty close. Stephanie asked me for the cilantro ranch recipe, & I told her I would put it on my blog because then she would have to actually visit my blog in order to get the recipe (ulterior motives, Stephanie!).
So Steph - here you go -
Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Mix the following in a blender -
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 pkg ranch dressing mix
- 4 tablespoons green salsa
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- juice of one lime
- cilantro (start w/ 1/2 bunch)- you need enough to turn the dressing a pale green color
I found a picture online of a Cafe Rio salad w/ a side of cilantro ranch dressing for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about.
Here's all you have to do to make the pork -
3 lb pork loin
2 cups brown sugar
1 16 oz bottle chunky salsa blended in the blender
1 can Coke
Put the pork in a crock pot & add enough water to cover half the pork. Cook on high for 5 hours. Drain off the water & shred the meat. Mix the salsa, Coke & brown sugar & pour over the pork. Cook for another 3 hours on low.
Hmmmmmm - I have a pork loin in the freezer. I think I'll get it out & then go buy a can of Coke! Better yet, maybe we'll just go to Cafe Rio for dinner.
6 comments:
Question about the pork recipe: after draining the water from the pork, do you add anymore liquid before cooking for the other three hours, or is the salsa and coke enough?
Cafe Rio looks like a restaurant we'll have to go to the next time we're in Utah. I'm glad you mentioned it. :-)
Yummy! I am so glad you posted the pork recipe... you gave me the dressing one a while back and it is delish:) Do you cut the pork loin before cooking?
I really like the pork, but I usually get an enchilada and I think the medium sauce I get with that is a big part of it. How about a recipe for that?
Also, is this dressing the creamy tomatillo? Where's the tomatillo?
Doug - I guess my salad dressing is supposed to be a copy of the creamy tomatillo dressing - so very good point - where IS the tomatillo? I guess it's just a good creamy cilantro ranch dressing.
Janae - you do not have to cut the pork loin before cooking.
Judy - I am going to make this tomorrow & will let you know about the liquid. I have made the recipe just once before & I think I drained the other liquid, but will let you know for sure tomorrow night.
You are making me hungry, LaRae, Must be time for Cafe Rio lunch...
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