Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa Salad

By vealam

Ingredients

• SWEET BARBACOA PORK:
• 2 lbs. boneless pork ribs
• 1 12 oz. can Coke (not diet – can use caffeine free)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• dash garlic powder
• 1/4 c. water
• BARBACOA ENCHILADA SAUCE:
• 1 cup Coke
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 1 cup red enchilada sauce
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• CILANTRO LIME RICE:
• 1 c. uncooked rice (long-grain, white rice)
• 1 tsp. butter or margarine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
• BLACK BEANS:
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 c. tomato juice
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro
• CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING:
• 1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
• 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1 clove garlic
• juice of 1 lime
• 1 jalapeno

Details

Adapted from barbarabakes.com

Preparation

Step 1

SWEET BARBACOA PORK:
Put the pork, 1 can of Coke and 1/4 c. brown sugar in a Ziploc bag to marinade. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.
Pour meat and marinade into crock pot. Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 on low. Keep lid on to retain liquid. Drain liquid. Shred meat with 2 forks when done.
Put shredded pork and Barbacoa Enchilada Sauce in crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours.

BARBACOA ENCHILADA SAUCE:
In a food processor or blender, blend Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and 1/2 c. brown sugar.

CILANTRO LIME RICE:
In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 tsp. lime, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.

BLACK BEANS:
In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING:
Mix all ingredients together in the blender.


Note: The meat and the beans are both very saucy, which is nice if they are being served buffet style because it keeps them really moist, but be sure and use slotted spoons to serve them.

Assemble all ingredients over shredded lettuce - then layer rice, beans, pork, and then dressing.