The Real Cottles

CAFE RIO PORK SALAD

There are 3 parts to the salad: the rice, the pork, and the dressing.

[ LIME-CILANTRO RICE ]

2 Tbsp. oil
4 c. long grain rice (6 c. water)
1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
juice of 2 limes
2 tsp. crushed garlic

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add rice, cilantro, and garlic. Saute 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add water and lime juice and bring to boil. Then reduce heat and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice (about 20 minutes). You can also use a rice cooker if you have one.

[ CAFE RIO PORK ]

pork roast
1 (16 oz.) bottle of salsa
1 can coke
2 c. brown sugar

Place pork in crock-pot and fill it half way up with water. Cook roast on high for 5 hours. Drain off water. Cut pork in thirds. Mix together ingredients (salsa, coke, brown sugar) and put on top of pork. Cook an additional 3 hours on high. Shred pork with forks. Leave it on low until ready to serve.

[ CREAMY TOMATILLA SALAD DRESSING ]

1 packet hidden valley ranch buttermilk dressing
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. mayo or sour cream
2-3 tomatillas (peel off outer leaf/shell)
1 tsp. crushed garlic
¾ bunch fresh cilantro
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
juice from 1 lime (about 2 tsp.)
salt & pepper

Blend all ingredients in the blender. Refrigerate.

[ SERVING ]
Of course you can assemble everything burrito-style. I prefer salad-style. For one serving, I first put a tortilla on a plate (or a large serving bowl, like the pasta bowl shown in the photo). Then put rice, pork, some chopped lettuce, and the dressing. Finally, garnish your salad with shredded cheese, tomatoes, sliced avocados, or whatever you want.

Note: I strongly prefer and recommend the uncooked tortillas over regular ol' packaged tortillas. Check the refrigerated section of your local grocery store. Our Costco carries them too. Just throw the tortilla in a pan over the stove top, give it a few flips, and it's cooked

He got the first three down in no time but this one is taking him a bit longer. He is almost there though. We have been a little exigent with him saying the words very clear cause we want him to really really learn them. I (cynthia) wasnt a member as a child, so, never got to "memorized" them all. Now Im learning with him and its been a lot of fun trying to come up with creative ideas to help him remember.

Put on the sheetrock and the mud!

You wouldn't believe HOW MESSY the mudding and sanding are! Im about to have a nervous

attack.

Now off to more sanding and mudding.

Remember my $1.99 Candle Holder???

Voilà!

Its nothing WOW out there, just a wall candle vase, but like I said I wanted to start slow. Im gonna spray paint this black (of course) and Im still deciding if I do wanna put a candle or if I dare to experiment with something else.

Another thing I found at the thrift store is this box

I thought it was pretty cute and that it might have some potential.

It was originaly a jewelry box but I riped everything out to make it into something else.

5 dollaaaasss babe!
So this are the things Im working on right now. I will post some pics as soon as Im done. Wish me luck!!

Streching the dough.