Cafe Rio Cilantro-Lime Rice (Copycat)

I made a few other Cafe Rio copycate recipes, but this one for Cilantro-Lime Rice is the only one that stuck around. We've had it quite a few times.

Cafe Rio Cilantro-Lime Rice Copycat Recipe

4 T. butter

2 c. rice

2 cans chicken broth

1 1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. lime juice

1/2 t. cumin

Boil on low until rice is cooked. Add 2 T. chopped cilantro.

Caramel Apple Cider

Caramel Apple Cider

1/4 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. brown sugar
3 c. apple juice
1/2 c. water

Boil cream and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add cider and water and heat until cider begins to steam. Divide into four mugs and top with whipped cream., if desired.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

More muffins. More pumpkin muffins. And these ones are even better. I got the recipe from Baking Bites, but I didn't follow it (shocking). I will add more of the original spices once they're available to me, because John thought they needed more spice.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

1/2 c. butter, melted

3/4 c. pumpkin

1/2 c. yogurt or milk (yes, I used milk once and it was fine)

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. cloves (didn't have)

pinch nutmeg

1/4 t. allspice (didn't have)

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

Streusel Topping

1/2 c. soft butter

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. flour

pinch salt

1/2 t. cinnamon

The usual muffin-making deal: Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Blend together just until moist. Mix up topping into a crumb. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Add topping. Bake at 400 16-19 minutes. Yum.

Taco Ring

I got the idea for a Taco Ring here, but I wanted something to cover the meat completely (and also I wouldn't use Pillsbury crescent rolls even if I had them). I used a full recipe of pizza dough, divided in half and rolled into two ovals, with the centers cut out. Pile on cooked taco meat and some cheese...

Add the top layer and bake! Ours baked at 375 for 20-25 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with taco toppings, salsa, or (in our case) Ranch dressing.
This would be even easier if you had cooked ground beef already in your freezer.

Red Velvet Pancakes

I made these heart-shaped red velvet pancakes for John's birthday. I poured the batter into an empty syrup bottle so I could easily make heart shapes. I thought they were good, and the kids really loved them, but John didn't seem very impressed. This recipe made plenty for the four of us.

Red Velvet Pancakes

2 c. flour

2 T. cocoa

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

2 T. sugar

2 eggs

2 T. melted butter or oil

2 c. buttermilk (milk with a dash of vinegar)

2 t. vanilla extract

red food coloring

Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients. Add food coloring if desired. I added a few drops of pink food coloring and the finished pancakes don't look very red. I served them with fresh whipped cream.

Texas Sheet Cake

Why is this recipe not on my blog? Sheesh. Here it is NOT in a sheet pan, since I made this one in a tiny toaster oven, but it's too delicious to keep from you any longer. Grandma June LOVED this cake and I always made sure to bring her a piece.

Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

2 cubes butter

1 c. water

1/4 c. cocoa

1/4 t. salt

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1/4 c. buttermilk (milk with a dash of vinegar)

1 t. baking soda

2 eggs

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

Boil butter, water, and cocoa. Stir in flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Grease and flour a sheet pan. Bake 20 minutes at 375.

Fudge Frosting

1 cube butter

1/4 c. cocoa

6 T. milk

3 c. icing sugar

1 t. vanilla

Boil butter, cocoa and milk. Stir in vanilla, and add powdered sugar until smooth. Pour over cake while hot.

Empanadas

Like the Mini Beef and Potato Pies, this recipe freezes well. There's something about encasing food in dough that makes it delicious and freezable. I used shredded taco chicken and cheese as filling, and we dipped the empanadas in ranch dressing.

Empanada Dough Recipe

4 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 t. baking powder
2 t. salt
1/2 c. cold butter, cut up
1 c. cold water
1 lightly beaten with 1.5 T. water

Cut butter into dry ingredients. Add cold water until dough comes together. Knead into two smooth balls. Roll 1/4" thick and cut into 4 or 5 inch circles. Fill with 2 t. filling, fold in half, and crimp the edges.

Brush with egg and bake at 400° for 25-35 minutes.