Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cafe Rio Pulled Pork

Just between you and me, I have no idea what or where Cafe Rio is.  But I kept reading the praises of the pulled pork by this name and really wanted to try it.  I'm pretty glad I did.


This pork is so easy, and So tasty...a little sweet and little spicy.  I was rather full from test bites before dinner and didn't have much room left for the main event.  But I managed to muscle through it anyway.  Who could resist it in a taco rolled up with cilantro lime rice?  Not me!  



Here's the recipe from Mmm...cafe  Hope you like it!


3-4 lb. Pork Butt or Shoulder Roast
2 small cans El Pato Tomato sauce (found in the mexican aisle, this is a key ingredient)
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
Wrap pork completely with foil, place in crock pot and pour ½ cup water around roast. Cook for 8 hours on low. Remove roast, drain juices, remove fat and shred. Dump the tomato sauces and brown sugar into the crockpot, stir together and add shredded pork back in. Cook two additional hours on low.


Cilantro Lime Rice
2 cups white rice
4 cups chicken broth
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
½ tsp. salt
2 limes, juiced
1 Tbs. butter

Combine rice, chicken broth, cilantro, salt and the juice from 1 lime in a rice cooker or saucepan. Cook according to package directions. When rice is cooked, juice the additional lime and add in butter. Stir to incorporate.

14 comments:

Monica H said...

mmm! sounds good. that seems like a lot of brown sugar though. I tend to not like sweet meat (haha!)

was it really sweet or just right?

Julie said...

It was really sweet, but the spicy evened it out nicely. I loved it!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've never been to Cafe Rio either, but I'd happily eat this!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Mmmmm, we love pulled pork. I'm gonna try & track down that "special" tomato sauce to give it a try! Is it El Pato? Or El Paso? Thanks!
~ingrid

The JR said...

That looks easy enough and delicious.

~~louise~~ said...

I have stew in the crock right now but I sure know what's going in next!!! I love this recipe, Julie. Thanks for tip with the foil too!

Thanks for sharing...Happy National Pork Month!!!

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

Your photos are making me hungry.... Two questions: 1. Is the El Pato sauce spicy? 2. Do you really cook the meat wrapped in foil in the crock pot??? I am very interested in trying this method! Looks great.

Chris said...

Pulled pork = LOVE

Pulled pork tacos = LOVE x 2

Joanne said...

Mmm that looks like it made for a great wrap! The meat looks perfectly cooked and super flavorful.

teresa said...

there are a lot of cafe rios in utah and idaho, where i come from. their pork really is delish! this looks just as good!

Kim said...

LOL! I figured Cafe Rio was out your way, but now I'm completely dumbstruck on where it is. Either way, meals like this are some of my favorites. Like you, I sometimes seem to fill up before dinner testing all the food but I almost always pull through afterwards when it comes to clearing my plate :)

Happy Halloween! Your kiddos are the perfect age for having a great time this weekend.

beti said...

It looks really good!

Brownieville Girl said...

I know I won't be able to get the tomato sauce - but I will certaintly be trying the rice, it sounds delicious.

Monet said...

This would be great with some homemade tortillas! Thank you for sharing another delightful post with me. It warms my heart to visit...and it makes my stomach growl! I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday full of laughter and good food. I'm eating a bowl of soup and I'm thankful for these cooler days!