Mock Cafe Rio Salad

Inspired by one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Rio, this idea originally came from my friend Jenni. I don't think my recipe is even close to hers anymore, and hers probably tastes better, but this is all I've got. Hope you enjoy!

To make this salad I pull some pork out of my freezer,- about 1/2 lb to a lb- thaw it out a little and put it in a pan. I put in about 1/4 inch of water and start cooking it over medium heat. I add in sugar- you could use any sweetener, or even apricot jam- and garlic salt to taste. I really couldn't tell you how much I use, and it seems to change every time.

I then serve it in a tortilla shell with lettuce, my favorite mexican toppings and, of course, some ranch dressing.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

1 package buttermilk ranch dressing

1 cup of buttermilk

1 cup of mayo

2 tomatillos (husk and quarter)

1 clove garlic chopped

1/3 cilantro chopped

1/2 lime juiced

1 jalapeno seeded and chopped

Puree all ingredients in a blender.

Birthday Dinner!

Alfredo Sauce

I got this off the internet and I love it. I use skim milk in mine and it tastes great. I've even heard of someone using low fat cream cheese it still tastes good.

Melt 1/2 cup of butter in medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add 8 oz of cream cheese and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Sir with whisk until smooth. Add 2 cups of milk a little at a time, whisking to smooth out the lumps. Stir in 6 oz (about 3/4 cups) of grated Parmesan Cheese. Add pepper to taste.

Mandarin Chicken Salad

A favorite recipe that I got from a friend a while back. Very delicious and, with some planning, it can be very simple to throw together.

2 to 4 chicken breast boiled

1 bunch red lettuce

1 bunch green lettuce

4 or so Green onions

1/2 a head of cabbage

Slice, dice, rip, tear and then put it in a bowl. Then add:

Sunflower seeds

Sesame seeds

Almonds (chopped however you please)

To taste.

Wait There's more.

1 can of mandarin oranges

2 packets of Chicken Ramen Noodles crunched up (save flavor packets for dressing)

Mix salad ingredients all together. Now it's time to make the dressing.

Dressing

1/4 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of salt

1/2 cup of rice vinegar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 season packets from the Chicken Ramen

Pour dressing over salad, shortly before serving, and toss it all together.