There is some serious cabinet drama going on here; what a mess. We are so close to getting a real kitchen in though. I can hardly wait. I feel like Christmas is on the way, but I don’t know what day it is actually coming. It’s exciting but frustrating to not know what to expect all at the same time. Oh life with a real kitchen, what will it even be like? I’m going to go ahead and assume that I’m going to love it. Just. Can’t. Wait!
Here is the last recipe in my Cafe Rio-inspired collection. This dressing is amazing. It’s the first homemade dressing that I ever made and one that I keep going back to. It’s been tweaked and perfected over the years and is just where I like. I like to use this on taco salad and in tacos in place of sour cream.
Creamy Cilantro Ranch Dressing
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 or 3 large tomatillos, husk removed
1 or 2 cloves garlic, outer skin removed
1/2 bunch cilantro, about a cup
1/2 a lime’s juice
1 jalapeno, seeds removed
1 T. dried parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
more salt and pepper to taste
Throw everything into a blender and blend until smooth, about one minute. Taste the dressing on a piece of lettuce and adjust the seasonings as needed. It keeps covered in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Notes:
I like to make this first and let it sit in the fridge while I get the rest of dinner ready. It gives the flavors a little time to mix and mingle.
The dressing is relatively thin, but that means it covers everything well.
Miracle Whip or salad dressing can’t be used in place of the mayonnaise.
The dressing is relatively thin, but that means it covers everything well.
Miracle Whip or salad dressing can’t be used in place of the mayonnaise.
We like to make the Cafe Rio Style meal occasionally and it inspired me to come up with something new…creamy cilantro lime chicken…I just saute chicken, add a scoop of sour cream, then cilantro and lime to taste…it is really good on the cilantro lime rice 🙂