Café Rio Salad

This meal is a real treat! I always look forward to making it and eating it, and also to my husbands face when he gets home and sees that we are having Café Rio! I love the Café Rio Salad and I got this recipe from Tracy Bruce and I am not sure where she got this recipe, but it is so good that I never feel the need to go to Café Rio again. The salad dressing is what really makes it! Put it on anything...it makes everything better! I've also added a few things that I really like. This is not your typical salad! It is the kind of salad that your husband will like too! (And the kiddos.)

INGREDIENTS FOR SALAD:

~Tortillas ( I definitely prefer the uncooked tortillas, you have to put them in a pan and cook them for about a minute or two! They really make a big difference, but it is still good with pre-made tortillas, heated.)

~Rice (recipe below)

~Black Beans

~Romaine Lettuce, chopped

~Tomatoes, diced

~Avocados, sliced

~Cheddar Cheese, shredded

~Creamy Cilantro Tomatillo Salad Dressing (recipe below)

~Cilantro

~Tortilla Strips (recipe below) (Or, if you don't want to make them, you can just crush come tortilla chips)

~Lime

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:

Cook or heat the tortilla and melt a thin layer of cheddar cheese on one side. Once melted, put on a plate open-faced.

Spoon a layer of rice, a layer of black beans and layer of corn.

Then top with a good layer of lettuce. Add a little more cheddar cheese, some tomatoes, and some avocado.

Then add the salad dressing and finally top with the tortilla strips (or crushed tortilla chips). Then finish off with a squeeze of lime and some fresh cilantro.

Café Rio Rice

3 cups rice

4 cups water

4 tsp vegetable bouillon

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 of an chopped onion

4 tsp minced garlic

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 can diced green chiles

1/2 tsp salt

Saute onion and garlic with butter until onion is soft. Add rice and water and all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and steam for about 15 – 20 minutes.

OR

2 boxes Spanish style Rice-a-roni

1/2 chopped onion

2 Tbsp butter

4 tsp garlic

1 bunch cilantro

1 small can diced green chiles

1 seasoning packet

2 cups water

Saute onion and garlic in butter. Add the rice-a-roni, seasonings, and water and cook as package directs.

Creamy Cilantro Tomatillo Salad Dressing

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup buttermilk

1 cup cilantro, chopped

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3 tomatillos, outer leafy skin off (pictured below) You can find them at about any grocery store, I have NOT seen them at Trader Joe's though.

Put all ingredients in a blender. Chill before serving and it will thicken. My favorite thing!!!

Tortilla Strips

2-4 tortillas cut into strips, I just use scissors.

Saute in a pan with a little butter.

Add a little salt OR garlic salt to taste.

Then add a squeeze of lime.

Saute all together until crispy! These are so good! And adds a great crunch to the salad!

ENJOY!