Cafe Rio Recipe

Beans:

1 can black or pinto beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/3 cup tomato juice

Rinse and drain beans and set aside.  Add all other ingredients and simmer slightly.  Add beans and cook until warm through.

Pork:

2 pounds boneless, ribmeat, shoulder or picnic butt pork roast
1 can Dr. pepper
1/4 cup water
2 dashes garlic salt

Do enough water, Dr. pepper, and garlic that will cover the pork in the crock pot.  Cook for 8 hours on low.  Then shred mean and top with the Cafe Rio Pork Sauce.

Sauce:

Amount for every 2-3 pounds of meat.
1 can Dr. pepper
1 can red enchilada sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 can green chili

Add this sauce to shredded pork and cook on low for 2 hours to simmer.

Rice:

1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 teaspoon butter
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 can 15 ounces chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons chopped cilantro

Combine all but last three ingredients in rice cooker and cook until done.  Then mix last three ingredients together and mix throughout rice once cooked.

Dressing:

1 (1 ounce) package hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayo
1 large or 2 small tomatillos (they are green and by the tomatoes)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 to 1 small jalapeno, seeds removed

Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor and store in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.  Beware that the dressing tends to get hotter the longer it sits.

French Dip Sandwiches

1 2.5-3 lb. beef roast (you can use a frozen roast if you want)

2 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
2 1-ounce packages dry onion soup mix
2 c. water
2 cans beef broth
6-8 large buns (or more…6 would be VERY generous servings!)
Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced.

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and rub roast with salt and pepper.

When very hot, carefully place roast in pan and sear on all sides. You’re not cooking the meat, you’re just browning it quickly on all sides to add flavor and seal in the juices.
Place in crockpot and sprinkle with onions soup mix. Pour water and beef broth over roast

Cook 8-10 hours on low or cook 4-5 hours on high and another 3-4 hours on low.
Place meat in crusty rolls. Top with cheese and broil open-faced in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes, until bread is golden and cheese is melty.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 1/2 teaspoons cold water
Cooked long grain rice
Place chicken in a 4 qt. slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, soy sauce, cider vinegar, ginger, garlic and pepper. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken to a serving platter; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Place liquid in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Gradually stir into liquid and stir until sauce is thickend. Serve with chicken and rice.

Homemade Chili Cheese Dogs

3 Tbs vegetable oil (or butter)

1 sweet yellow onion, diced

1 pound mushrooms, sliced thinly

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced red pepper

½ cup diced carrots

1 pound ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 cup red wine

4 tbs. ground cumin

2 tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. thyme

1 Tbs. oregano

2 Tbs. brown sugar

Salt to taste

4 jumbo hot dogs, heated according to package instructions

4 Rudi’s gluten-free multi-grain hot dog rolls – split open and toasted

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (for dairy free omit cheese)

Optional garnishes:  sour cream, guacamole

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions, mushrooms, celery, red pepper, and carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent. Add ground beef and cook until the meat is lightly browned and no pink spots remain.  Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is tender and fragrant, about two minutes.  Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine and stir until well combined.  Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add cumin, chili powder, thyme, oregano, and brown sugar.  Bring soup back to a boil; reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary.  Heat hot dogs according to package instructions.  Place one hot dog on each Rudi’s Gluten-free hot dog roll.  Ladle a heaping scoop of chili on top of the hot dog.  Top with grated cheese and desired garnishes. 

*** You will have extra left-over chili.  Store in an air-tight container and freeze for up to one month.

Honey Sauced Chicken

3/4 pound chicken
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup chopped onion (or 1/16 cup onion flakes)
1/8 cup ketchup
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes


Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3 hours or on high 1 1/2 hours. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.

To bake chicken as a 30 minute meal:
Dice chicken and season both sides with salt and pepper, place in 8x8 pan. Pour sauce over chicken and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

2 lbs ground beef
1 C onion (chopped)
1 Tsp salt
1/8 Tsp ground pepper
1/2 C vinegar
1/2 C water
1/4 C dark brown sugar
6 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 Tsp. chili powder
1/4 Tsp. ground cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 C ketchup
2 Tbsp mustard
2 pkgs slider buns

Brown ground beef in large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add onion, salt, and pepper. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook over ow heat for 6-8 hours. Serve with slider hamburger buns. Refrigerate any leftovers.

For Gluten Free - purchase Gluten Free Buns. Enjoy!!!

Apple Butter

5 pounds Tart Apples
2 cups Apple Cider
3-5 cups Sugar
¾ teas. Cinnamon
¾ teas. Cloves
½ teas. Allspice
½ teas. Nutmeg

• Core and quarter apples (peeling isn’t necessary). Cook apples slowly in cider until tender (I put mine in my crock pot) – then blend in a food processor or blender.

• Add 3 cups of sugar and check for sweetness, then add more as necessary (sometimes up to 5 cups total). Add spices and stir together.

• Cook for 6-8 hours in a crock pot. I just cook it overnight on low.

• Test for thickness by spooning butter on a cold plate. If no liquid comes out of the edges, it is thick enough. If it isn’t thick enough, you can take the lid off of the crock pot and turn it up to high, let some liquid boil off, but stir and check back often.

• Ladle into sterile jars leaving ¼ inch head space.

• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude if necessary.

• You may also freeze this apple butter if you prefer.

Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup & GFCF

3 to 4 lbs. chicken
5 cups water or chicken broth
1 lb. baby carrots
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 celery stalks, finely sliced
2 tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp. low sodium chicken soup base (or bouillon)
1 large onion, chopped
1 or 2 green onions, chopped (optional)
pinch each oregano and thyme
salt and pepper (to taste)

1 stick butter

1 package Egg Noodles

2 beef bouillon cubes
additional seasonings of your choice (to taste)

Put all ingredients in crock-pot and cook for 4-6 hours. Yummy!

GFCF RECIPE:

Use all same ingredients (do not use chicken broth unless you buy gluten free chicken broth) substitute butter and pasta noodles.

Harvest Pork

2 pounds pork tenderloin
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp cumin or chili powder
2 tbs dark brown sugar
1 medium Granny Smith apple peeled, cored and chopped
1 medium sweet potato(es) peeled and chopped
1 medium red onion(s) chopped
4-5 small potatoes peeled and chopped

Mix together salt, pepper, cumin and brown sugar rub onto pork-loin

Toss everything in the crock pot on low 6 hrs

Wendy's Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 12-oz can tomato paste
2 29-oz cans tomato sauce
1 29-oz can kidney beans (with liquid)
1 29-oz can pinto beans (with liquid)
1 c diced onion (1 medium onion)
1/2 c diced green chili (2 chilies)
1/4 c diced celery (1 stalk)
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp. cumin powder
3 tbs. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. salt
2 cups water

1 - Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; drain of the fat.
2 - Using a fork, crumble the cooked beef into pea-size pieces.
3 - In a large pot, combine the beef, plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes, for 2-3 hours. Makes 12 servings.

Steak and Gravy

3 lb. cubed steak
Salt and pepper
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. flour
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained
Garlic salt

Mix flour, salt and pepper. Roll steak pieces in flour mixture. Place in crock pot. Mix soup, water and mushrooms. Pour over steak. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Good served over rice.

Slow Cooker Chili

1 Reynolds slow cooker liner
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium green bell pepper (chopped)
1 small onion (chopped)
2 cans (15 oz) red kidney beans, undrained
2 packages (1.25 oz) Chili seasoning mix (optional - Gluten Free packet)
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce)
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies
Cheese and sour cream (optional)

Brown ground beef, bell pepper, and onion over medium high heat in a skillet, drain well. Add beef mixture into slow cooker liner. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl then add to beef; gently stir. Place lid on slow cooker, cooking on LOW for 6-7 hours OR on HIGH for 3-3 1/2 hours until heated through. Serve directly from lined slow cooker.

Chicken BBQ

6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken. Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

French Dip Sandwich

Take 1 Chuck Roast and fill crock-pot with water along with the Roast till it is overflowing the Roast. Take 1/2 Chopped Onion and place in Crock-Pot or use onion soup mix. Add Beef Bullion Cubes. Cook on High for 1 hour then cook an additional 6-8 hours on low. Always make sure the Water is above the meat. Take Fork and the Roast should fall apart.

Sauce:
Use Kroger Brand (or any other) with Au Jus Mix - follow directions and add water. One packet will be plenty.

Bread/Rolls:
Buy Steak Rolls at Sam's or Rolls at Bowman's are some great ones. Place Provolone cheese on Rolls in Oven with Lid for 1-2 Minutes till melted.

Enjoy!!!

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 3 hours

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
4 ounces VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cubed
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained, optional
1 package (16 ounces) fettuccine or spaghetti
Thin breadsticks, optional

Directions:

Place the chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker; sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. Top with soups. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink.
Stir in the cheese, olives and pimientos if desired. Cover and cook until cheese is melted. Meanwhile, cook fettuccine according to package directions; drain. Serve with chicken and breadsticks if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Braised Pork Chops

6 to 8 lean pork chops
1/3 cup flour
1 Tsp salt
1 Tsp dry mustard
1 Tbs oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic minced (optional)
1 can cream of chicken soup

Preparation:

Coat chops with mixture of flour, salt, mustard, and garlic salt. Brown on both sides in hot oil in skillet with chopped onion. Add garlic for the last minute. Deglaze the pan with a little water, wine, or broth. Put chops in slow cooker and add soup and pan drippings. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours, or on high 3 to 4 hours. Serves 6 to 8.

Glazed BBQ Meatballs

1 Bag Meatballs (I usually buy one from Costco or Sam's or the Armour brand is great)
1 Jar (12 oz) grape or currant jelly
1 Cup Famous Dave's Award-Winning BBQ sauce

1. Combine jelly and barbecue sauce in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until jelly melts.
2. Add meatballs. Heat over medium-low heat 15 minutes, or until meatballs are hot and glazed, stirring occasionally. Serve in slow cooker set on low - if desired.

Chicken Cordon Blue Cassrole

Chicken breast
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 container sour cream
4 slices of ham
6 slices of swiss cheese
1 box of stove top stuffing

Crock pot chicken. Mix sour cream and cream of chicken soup with chicken. Place in baking dish. Layer with ham and swiss cheese. Place stove top on top and bake at 350 until cheese is melted and meat is warm.

Wendy's Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (29 ounce) can kidney beans (with liquid)
1 (29 ounce) can pinto beans (with liquid)
1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion)
1/2 cup diced green chili pepper (2 chilies)
1/4 cup diced celery (1 stalk)
3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
2-3 Tsp cumin powder
3 Tbs chili powder
1 1/2 Tsp black pepper
2 Tsp salt
2 cups water

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off the fat. In a large crock-pot, combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes for 2-3 hours.
**I usually half the recipe.

Pasta Fagioli Soup

2 cans (141/2 oz. each) reduced-sodium beef broth
1 can (15 oz.) Great Northern Beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise & sliced
1 TBSP olive oil
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 Cup uncooked small shell pasta
1/2 Cup grated Romano cheese


Combine broth,beans,tomatoes with juice, zucchini, oil, garlic,basil and oregano in slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on LOW 3 to 4 hours.

Stir in pasta. Cover; cook 1 hour or until pasta is tender.

Serve soup with cheese. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. (Really yummy with bread sticks.)

Makes 5 to 6 servings.