Cinco de Mayo dinner party

We're a bit late on this celebration. We chose to not have our party on a weeknight. Cinco de Mayo was a Monday. Friday was the next logical date.

On the menu:
Chips and Salsa
Cafe Rio Pork salads
Strawberry margaritas (non-alcoholic, of course)

The recipes used for the Cafe Rio Pork salads were found at Chef In Training. I have done a few tweeks to her recipes.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
adapted from Chef In Training (see link above)


1 packet of buttermilk ranch dressing
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup evaporated milk
1 bunch of cilantro
1 tomatillo, husked and diced or 1 small can of fire roasted green chilis
Garlic powder (just a few shakes)
juice from 1 lime

Blend mayo, sour cream, dressing mix, evaporated milk, and garlic in a blender until blended and smooth. Dice up tomatillo and cilantro then add to the dressing in the blender. Juice up the lime and add that as well. Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

CAFE RIO SWEET PORK 
adapted recipe from: “One Good Thing” By Jilliee
2 pounds pork roast
1 liter Coca Cola (don't use any imitation)
1 tsp. garlic powder rub (see below)
1 1/2 c. brown sugar, divided
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
2 c. salsa (any brand, we use homemade)

Put the pork in a reclosable bag to marinate, pour in 12 oz of Coke and 1/2 c. brown sugar. Marinate overnight if possible (can do 3-4 hours in the refrigerator as well).
Drain marinade and put pork, 6 oz of Coke, garlic powder rub in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.
Remove pork from crock pot, drain off liquid, shred pork.
Mix together (in the blender) remaining 6 oz of Coke, can of chiles, salsa and brown sugar.
Put shredded pork back in the crock pot, cover with sauce, heat another 1-2 hours or until heated through.

Garlic Powder Rub: I mix equal parts of garlic powder and onion powder. Usually about 2 Tablespoons each. 1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt

Cilantro Lime Rice
2 c rice
1 c water
1 c chicken broth
1 lime
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 tsp sugar

Cook rice according to directions except use 1 c water and 1 c broth. (Can be done in advance.) When ready to serve, add the rice to a 10" skillet. While heating up, finely chop the cilantro. In a small bowl, juice the lime and add sugar, mix until sugar is dissolved. Once hot, add cilantro and lime juice. Toss until combined. Serve hot.

Party Decor:
I bought everything at the dollar store. I cut out the streamers. It was harder than anticipated (thanks to folding the paper and then cutting through thick layers) but worth it in the end. The paper lanterns have a light in them. I can't wait for a summer barbeque to use them outside.

The food. In the tall green bowl, you'll see tortilla strips. We've had some corn tortillas hanging out for a bit and I decided it would be better to fry my own rather than buying them. The main ingredient was the sweet pork. As toppings there were:

• Black beans
• Cilantro lime rice
• Avocado
• Sour Cream 
• Salsa
• Lettuce
• Cheese
• Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
• Tortilla strips