More Yummy Recipes

OK, for those who requested these, here they are:

Chocolate Caramel Bars for the Bishop
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1 (14 oz.) bag caramels (48)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 (12 oz.) pkg. milk or semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl combine first 6 ingredients to form a crumbly mixture. Unwrap caramels (let kids help). Melt caramels and whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle half of crumbly mixture into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle chocoalte chips over baked mixture and top with melted caramel mixture. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Make a day or several hours ahead to allow time for caramel to set. Makes at least 2 dozen bars (very rich).

Cafe Rio Salads (thanks, Stacy J!)
We had these for our W. family Christmas party. We all stuffed ourselves silly. They are to die for! They are listed in random order, but you basically build a salad or burrito with them.

1. Pork
5-6 lb. pork roast
1/2-1 Tbsp. cumin
1 cup brown sugar
12 oz. bottle La Victoria taco sauce
20 oz. Coke (can use caffeine-free)

Cook roast on low for 12 hours (overnight) in crockpot with water added halfway up roast. After 12 hours, drain water off roast, add remaining ingredients and continue cooking for 4 more hours. Then shred the meat and cook 2 more hours.

2. Beef
4-5 lbs. rump or sirloin roast
1/4-1/2 cup Yoshida's sauce (or other sweet sauce)
1 can mexican (or Italian) stewed tomatoes
Montreal steak seasoning to taste
a little water

Brown roast first in large pot, then add other ingredients and cook all day. Trim fat, shred meat, and add back to sauce. Add cumin, oregano, garlic salt, pepper, and taco sauce to taste.

3. Rice
1 cup rice (uncooked, not instant)
1 tsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. lime zest
1 15 oz. can chicken broth
1/4 cup water

Boil above mixture for 15-20 minutes. Then toss the following with cooked rice:

2 Tbsp. lime juice
2 tsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped (I used less so it would be less spicy)

I tripled this recipe for a large group.

4. Black Beans
Saute 2 cloves garlic and 1 tsp. cumin in 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Then add:

1 can black beans, drained
1/3 cup tomato juice
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro (or less)

I doubled this recipe.

5. Salsa: use your favorite brand or recipe.

6. Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
1 pkg. dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped Cilantro (or less)
2 cloves garlic
3 tomatillos (peel off paper)
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

7. Tortillas
Buy uncooked tortillas (pkg. of 36 at Sam's Club). Use a pancake griddle on high heat that is dry (no oil). Cook tortillas on one side until bubbly. Turn over, sprinkle with colby jack cheese and cook until cheese is melted. Then remove to plate. These can go on the bottom of the salad or be folded into a burrito.

8. Romaine Lettuce

9. Extra Cheese

10. Other toppings: sour cream, chopped tomatoes, tortilla chips, avocado, etc.