Cafe Rio Salad

I know so many people who are obsessed with this salad. You may think it is just a salad, but you have to understand that it is so much more! If you aren't lucky enough to live close to a Cafe Rio or if you just want to feed a crowd or enjoy a home-cooked version where you can control the portions (those salads are HUGE!), you have come to the right place. The authentic salad is made with several different meats to choose from. I would recommend either the sweet pork from yesterday, or my taco chicken in a crockpot.

(photo courtesy of simplyputnam.blogspot.com)

Cafe Rio Salad
large flour tortillas (I would recommend the Costco uncooked tortillas)
shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterrey jack cheese
black beans (straight from the can, rinsed and drained)
rice (there are cilantro lime rice recipes available out there, but I usually just make Spanish rice in the rice cooker)
meat (sweet pork or taco chicken)
lots of chopped Romaine lettuce
diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
tortilla strips
cilantro lime ranch

Cook the tortilla in a dry frying pan. Sprinkle lightly with cheese while the second side is cooking. Place the tortilla on a large plate with a lip around the edge. Top with the other toppings in the order listed. Serve with a lime wedge on the side if you'd like. Start eating it with a fork, then use your hands to rip off pieces of the tortilla with the toppings rolled inside as you get near to the bottom.