Who knew that I would like to cook?

Cooking has always seemed like a chore to me. Always. Then the other day my mom added a link to this blog on the family blog. I took a look at it and my whole perspective changed! I've made something new for dinner every night for the past week. And I love it!! Who would have thought? Definitely not me. I think we've had the same 10 meals on rotation since we got married. And it's not only dinner. I've been trying new desserts too, which everyone can appreciate...(the kids don't always like dinner.) It's required a few extra trips to the grocery store since I don't always have everything, but definitely worth it. I think I'll start posting recipes every once in awhile. I'm going to start with Cafe Rio/Costa Vida/Bajio type sweet pork salad I made. It was so good. And since we don't have of those around here, we haven't had it in awhile and thought it tasted just like the restaurants.

Crock Pot Sweet Pork

Marinate pork roast (I couldn't find a pork roast at the grocery store, so I just bought this barbeque style pork and it worked fine, because you shred it eventually anyway) in a can or coke. I got a 2 liter and put the pork in a bowl that it fit in pretty well, then just poured the coke in until it was mostly covered. Do NOT use Diet Coke.

Put pork and coke in crock pot and cook on low for ~8 hours. Directions said to drain coke, but I missed that part and strained what was left in it. I don't know how much it helped, but it turned out so good.

Shred pork and add:
1 can enchilada sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 small can diced green peppers
1 cup brown sugar

Cook for 30 min to 1 hour.


Cilantro-Lime Rice

I made this in my rice cooker, but I'll just use the recipe I got.

1c uncooked rice
1t butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1t fresh squeezed lime juice (I uesd Lemon juice, I didn't have any limes-and it was still good, but I'll get a lime next time.)
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
1c water
1T fresh squeezed lime juice
2t sugar (I used more than that, it wasn't sweet enough)
3T chopped cilantro (I had to leave this out because I didn't have any-and again, it was still good.)

In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1t lime juice, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 min, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar, and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.


Cilantro Ranch

1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix (NOT Buttermilk)
1c mayo
1c milk (called for buttermilk, but I just used regular)
2 tomatillos-remove husk, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno (I didn't use this-remove seeds if you don't want it as spicy)

Mix all together in a blender

I had all of these because I went to the store the next day to make it for leftovers. I didn't use nearly that much cilantro-it never turns out good for me if I use too much. Then you warm up a tortilla, put it on the bottom and layer rice, black beans (I just heated up a can on the stove), meat, lettuce (I had spinach, but any other kind would probably be good), sprinkle some shredded cheese, and dressing. YUMM!! So good-as I've said a million times already.