Copy-Cat Cafe Rio House Dressing
Long time, no talk, babies! I know it's been a while, but even I need a mental health day/week/two weeks. :) Let's just say I'm slowly working my way back into your hearts, dears.
Let's start with this. Hi. I'm Jessica, and of the many things I'm obsessed with, Cafe Rio is one of them. I love their delicious sweet meat, their sticky/spicy sauces, their chewy/crispy/fluffy flour tortillas (their wheat ones are pretty rockin' too!), and their dressing... oh those wizards. I love the vinaigrette, but that house dressing is my jam.
Those of you married/serious relationship folks out there will hear me on this: there are just some places that you can NOT convince your better half to go to. Whether thats for reasons of taste, distance, or price, you beg and beg to go to these places. Cafe Rio is that place for me. John doesn't love it (but he's not a huge fan of mexican food... Don't grab your pitchforks just yet, I've come to terms with it). He insists that "why should we drive all the way there (note: we only live 15 minutes from one. He just doesn't like to go far... that's a whole other post entirely), when you can make it just as good if not better?"
Granted, I should be flattered that he thinks my family Cafe Rio dinners are that tasty, and I totally am! But there are definitely times I just want to pick it up and have someone else make it for me!
So with this thought of a night of no cooking (yay!), I stopped by my closest Cafe Rio and picked up a Sweet Pork Barbacoa salad the size of a compact car (okay, its not that big, but if you've ever had one you know what I'm talking about). I was in for an evening alone as John was working late, and I was ready for an indulgent meal and Netflix (hello, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Phoebe and Chandler!). I drove all the way home with the bag nestled safely in my passenger seat, taking turns carefully and using my maternal instincts to shoot out my passenger side arm at any abrupt stops.
You can imagine my complete despair when I opened the bag to discover THEY HAD FORGOTTEN MY HOUSE DRESSING. I had watched them package the creamy cilantro dressing, place it on the counter and then... gah I didn't see them put it in the bag! BUT HUZZAH! I had all the ingredients to make my copy cat dressing! ...I guess a little cooking tonight wont hurt!
Copy Cat Cafe Rio House Dressing
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Makes: 3 cups of dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 3/4 cup green enchilada sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 3 cups loosley packed chopped cilantro
1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or with an immersion blender. I suggest adding 1 cup of cilantro at a time in order to keep the classic speckled look of the dressing.
2. Serve as a dressing for your favorite salad or as a dip for veggies.
3. ENJOY and post with #perfectleehungry.
