In the beginning,
two pirate shipmates became mateys by marriage through the Cutlers.
Now they face a world uncertain where only cooking, cutting, baking (and other things) are there only way for survival on the island!

Off to the decks (or kitchen floors) we go!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Cafe Rio


Want some of this?



Then you might appreciate the recipe for this:

Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa
5-6 lbs. pork roast
1 Tbls. cumin
1 cup brown sugar
12 oz. La Victoria taco sauce
20 oz. Coke

Place roast in crock pot and add water halfway up roast.  Cook on low for 12 hours.  Drain off water and add the remaining ingredients, then cook 4 more hours.  Shred the pork and cook for 2 more hours.

and this:

Cafe Rio Rice
4 tsp. chicken bouillon
4 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 cup diced green chilies
3/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbls. butter
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cups rice (not instant)

Put chicken bouillon, garlic, cilantro, diced green chilies, salt, butter, and onion in a blender and puree until smooth.  Pour into saucepan and add 3 cups water and bring to a boil.  Add rice and simmer for 30 minutes.  

and you can't forget this!

 Cafe Rio House Dressing
1 pkg Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic
3 tomatillos (canned - found on ethnic foods aisle)
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

I call them little "drops of heaven"...

Trust me... these babies are divine!  ...even if I don't have any pictures to prove it;)

Polka Dot Shortbread Bars

Combine:
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Press 1/2 of dough into 9x13 pan (will be crumbly), coming slightly up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Melt in a glass bowl in the microwave on low power:
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Stir until chocolate is melted. Then add:
1 tsp. vanilla

Pour melted chocolate onto cooked crust. Then sprinkle with:
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Top with remaining crumbled dough. Press into filling slightly. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove and run a knife around the edge to loosen while still warm. Cool slightly before cutting into 2" squares.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

bow ties and pom poms

how cute would this be to make for wee lil Jarrrr! handmade bow ties! Instructions here!






And I'm loving these pom poms!
If/when we have a party this summer let's make these awesome babies!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

chocolate butter

i have a feeling we're going to be super homemakey this summer!

we should add to our list this: chocolate butter!!!