Best Rio Recipes

RIO GRANDE ESPECIAL

Steps:

• Cook and stir ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is crumbly and completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir water, tomato sauce, tomato paste, green chilies, instant rice, sugar, chili powder, garlic, oregano, cumin, and salt together with the cooked ground beef.
• Reduce heat to low, place a cover on the skillet, and cook mixture at a simmer until the flavors have blended and the beef is very tender, about 40 minutes.

HEALTHY MEALS MONDAY: CAFE RIO SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND CILANTRO RICE

Steps:

• Mix cumin, chili powder & dressing in bowl
• Place frozen chicken breasts in crock pot
• Pour mixture over chicken & cover
• Cook on high for 5 hrs or on low for 7 to 8. Shred chicken in the crockpot and mix it well.
• Wash and chop the cilantro. Mix the cilantro with 2 cups of water and pour in the pan for cooking the rice. Add two more cups of water, the salt, Salsa Verde, and onion. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice in the boiling water. Cover and turn down heat to very low; steam for 30 minutes. Makes about 10 servings.
• Put it all together with Toppings:
• Cook whole wheat burrito tortillas on non-greased skillet 10-15 seconds on each side
• Put Chicken, Cilantro Rice, black beans, avocado, lowfat cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, (I also added red pepper, green onions and spinach) inside of tortilla.
• Add anything else you like (fat free sour cream, salsa, etc.)
• Roll up your tortilla and eat your delicious and healthy Cafe Rio Burrito!

RIO GRANDE RUB STEAKS

Steps:

• Let steaks rest from refrigerator for a few minutes to take the chill off.
• Preheat grill pan or indoor electric grill to high heat. Combine spice rub ingredients: ground Ancho chile, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Rub spice blend into steaks.
• Coat sliced red onion with a drizzle of oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Grill steaks and onion slices 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat. Let meat stand 5 minutes for juices to redistribute. Season steaks with salt. Top with separated rings of red grilled onions. Serve with hot Cracked Cornbread and Cheese Squares and Mexican Salad.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with butter. Stir cheese, corn, and scallions into packaged mixed corn muffin batter.
• Pour batter into baking dish and bake at 400 degrees F until golden, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Yield: 4 + servings
• Cut avocados in half, working around the pit. Separate the 2 halves. Remove pit and scoop out avocado flesh with a spoon. Wedge avocados and pile in the center of a large platter. Seed and wedge tomatoes and arrange around the avocados. Spread sliced onion over platter. Sprinkle platter with cilantro. Squeeze the juice of 2 limes evenly over vegetables. Season with coarse salt. Drizzle platter with oil and serve.
• Yield: 4 servings

LIKE CAFE RIO/COATA VIDA CILANTRO LIME DRESSING

Steps:

• Put all into a blender until slightly thickened.

CAFE RIO CILANTRO-LIME RICE

Steps:

• Brown onion and rice in oil.
• Place water/stock, bouillon, cilantro, lime zest, and salt in blender till blended thoroughly.
• Add water mixture to rice and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• When rice is cooked, fluff with fork and add lime juice.
• Serve with Cafe Rio pork and beans.

CAFE RIO CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix buttermilk dressing as directed on package.
• Combine all other ingredients and mix in a blender until creamy and smooth.
• Seal in airtight container in refrigerator.
• enjoy!

CAFE RIO CILANTRO LIME RICE

Steps:

• Cook the rice as directed on the rice package -- except use broth instaed of water. When rice is done fluff with a fork then add cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt and 1/2 can green enchilad sauce and mix well with a fork!
• This rice is "FEN"tastic -- Enjoy it!

RIO GRANDE BLACK BEANS & ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Saute onions & bell peppers in oil until tender.
• Add Rotel tomatoes, mix well and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add black beans, zucchini and remaining ingredients, mix well and cook for about 15-20 minutes on low heat.
• Top with shredded cheddar or monterrey jack cheese if desired.

RIO GRANDE BEEF BURRITOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Grease 9-inch square baking pan.
• Rub both sides of steak with garlic and cumin, then with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and lime juice. Let stand while preparing peppers.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes.
• Add chiles and peppers and stir until heated through.
• Add cream, then 3/4 cup cheese and stir until mixture thickens, about 1 minute.
• Add oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over high heat.
• Season steak with salt and pepper. Cook until brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side for very rare.
• Transfer to work surface. Halve across width, then cut against grain into thin slices.
• Hold 1 tortilla over gas burner on low or place on electric burner on low until heated through, about 15 seconds per side. Place tortilla on work surface. Spoon 1/4 cup pepper mixture down center of tortilla. Top with 1/4 of meat. Roll up tortilla, enclosing filling.
• Arrange in baking pan, seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas, 3/4 cup pepper mixture, and remaining meat.
• Spoon remaining pepper mixture over tortillas.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY STYLE CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Cube meat (about 1"), removing all fat and gristle.
• Sear meat in oil.
• Add water and cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toast cumin seeds in a small sauté skillet on medium-high until they begin to smoke slightly.
• Grind the hot cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle.
• Add oregano, ground toasted cumin, black pepper, salt and garlic to the meat.
• Add vegetables (bell pepper, onion and tomato) and continue to cook about 30 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, chili powder and paprika.
• Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• While the meat is simmering, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small sauté pan and add flour over medium-low heat.
• Stir the flour and oil constantly until the flour turns a light golden brown (roux).
• Add the roux to the meat and continue to simmer for about another 30 minutes.
• Serve carne guisada with rice and beans and flour or corn tortillas.
• Note: can speed the cooking time by using a pressure cooker.

COPYCAT CAFE RIO SHREDDED BEEF TACOS RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• Place onions on the bottom of slow-cooker. Place the roast on top of the onions. Combine broth, cumin, garlic and tomato sauce; pour over the top of the roast. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Transfer meat to a cutting board; use two forks to shred the beef. Strain the juices from the slow-cooker, reserving the juice. Transfer shredded meat back to the slow-cooker and pour some of the strained juices over the shredded beef (as much as you prefer). Stir in the enchilada sauce and tomato paste. Season with salt and extra cumin, to taste. Serve in tortillas with desired toppings. TOMATILLO DRESSING Put all dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust any flavors as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.

RIO GRANDE BEEF BURRITOS WITH ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan. Rub both sides of steak with garlic and cumin, then with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and lime juice. Let stand while preparing peppers.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Add chiles and peppers and stir until heated through. Add cream, then 3/4 cup cheese and stir until mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Add oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Season steak with salt and pepper. Cook until brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side for very rare. Transfer to work surface. Halve across width, then cut against grain into thin slices.
• Hold 1 tortilla over gas burner on low or place on electric burner on low until heated through, about 15 seconds per side. Place tortilla on work surface. Spoon 1/4 cup pepper mixture down center of tortilla. Top with 1/4 of meat. Roll up tortilla, enclosing filling. Arrange in baking pan, seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas, 3/4 cup pepper mixture, and remaining meat. Spoon remaining pepper mixture over tortillas. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Do ahead Can be assembled 2 hours ahead. Cover with foil and refrigerate.
• Bake uncovered (cover if burritos were refrigerated) until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes.

POLLO RIO NEGRO (MARINATED CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Wash the chicken, cut it in pieces; season well with salt and pepper.
• Place in a glass baking dish and add the onion, carrots, bay leaf, rosemary and wine.
• Cover with foil and place in the fridge to marinate for 24 hours.
• Roast in the oven at 375°, in the same dish covered with the same foil for one hour.
• Meanwhile, grate the apple and mix it with the water and sugar.
• Take off the foil, cover the chicken in the apple mixture and continue cooking for 20 minutes more until the chicken is browned.

REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE GRILLED TUNA AND GRAPEFRUIT SUPREME SALAD

Steps:

• Peel and segment 2 grapefruits; set aside. Squeeze the juice from the other half grapefruit into a measuring cup; it should yield about 1/4 cup of juice.
• To make the salad dressing, combine the grapefruit juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste, and minced jalapeño in a medium bowl; mix well. Cover and refrigerate the salad dressing.
• Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish. Pour 1 tablespoon of dressing over each piece of tuna. Turn the tuna in the marinade to coat. Cover with plastic wrap, or place all of the tuna steaks and marinade in a plastic bag, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Light the grill. Remove the tuna from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature. Grill for about 4 minutes per inch of thickness for rare, 6 minutes for medium or until done to taste, turning at least once.
• To serve, toss the greens with the salad dressing in a mixing bowl. Divide the dressed greens among 4 plates. Top each with a grilled tuna steak, then sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Spread grapefruit supremes over the top of the salad. Garnish with the cilantro and red onion slices.

SALSA RIO GRANDE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the onion, garlic, jalapeños, tomatoes, cumin, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
• The salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

RIO GRANDE PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Rub garlic, salt and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder over roast. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes. In a small saucepan, combine the apple jelly, barbecue sauce and remaining chili powder; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Pour over roast. Bake 40-50 minutes longer or until a met thermometer reads 160°, basting occasionally. Remove roast and keep warm., Stir drippings in pan to loosen browned bits; pour into a 2-cup measuring cup. Skim fat. Add enough water to measure 1-1/4 cups. Transfer to a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; serve with the roast.

CHILI CON CARNE-CASA RIO RESTAURANT STYLE

Steps:

• 1. Deseed and clean ancho chili pods-Soak for 1 hour in hot water-Drain and grind-set aside.
• 2. Place pork and beef cubes into a large stock pot.
• 3. Fill with water to cover meat.
• 4. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat.
• 5. Add jalapeños, garlic, salt, cumin, ancho chili pod paste and pepper-bring to a boil, reduce heat to a slow simmer and cook until done, around 90 minutes.
• 6. Add chili powder and mix all ingredients well.
• 7. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• 8. Remove from heat and thicken with Masa roux. To make roux add enough water to make a medium slurry. Check after 5 minutes-you will need to add a little more water.

RIO RANCHO TACO MEAT

Steps:

• Cooking Day: Brown onion and ground meat until no longer pink; drain excess grease.
• Add in salsa, taco seasoning, brown sugar, green chiles, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper; stir until well mixed.
• If you like your meat hotter, add more cayenne/red pepper flakes to taste.
• Add in water and simmer on low for 30-45 minutes until mixture has thickened and spices have had time to blend.
• If meat mixture is too thick, add more water and adjust seasonings.
• Cool; place in freezer bag; remove as much air as possible, and seal; take a cake pan, or a pan that has sides, and lay the bag flat in it; place the pan in the freezer and "flash freeze"; once it is frozen, remove from pan and stack inside your freezer.
• Serving day: thaw meat; heat in saucepan on stove until heated through; serve in taco shells or soft, warm tortillas.
• Top with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, or any favorite toppings.

POLLO RIO NEGRO

Steps:

• Wash the chicken, cut it in pieces and season well with salt and pepper. Place in a glass baking dish and add the onin, carrots, bayleaf, rosemary and wine.
• Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for 24 hours.
• Heat the overn to 200°C.
• Place a sheet of baking paper and then foil over the dish and roast in the oven for one hour.
• Meanwhile, grate the apple and mix it with the water and sugar.
• Take the chicken from the over, remove foil and baking paper, cover the chicken in the apple mixture and continue cooking for 20 minutes more until the chicken is browned.

CAFE RIO CHILI BEANS

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours.
• Serve on Cafe Rio pork.