Sweet Pork

This is the best knock-off of Cafe Rio's sweet pork I have found. I'll be the first to admit that I am not a Cafe Rio expert, so it may not be exact, BUT this recipe is absolutely delicious. It is sweet, but not too sweet with lots of good flavor thrown in there as well. Lots of knock-off recipes for this pork call for Coke. I just don't like Coke, so I was glad to find a yummy knock-ff that does not call for Coke. Eat this in the classic Cafe Rio Salad (full details coming tomorrow) or in a burrito, tacos, on top of nachos, etc.

(photo courtesy of ohsweetbasil.com via google images)

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
3-4 lb. pork roast or tenderloin
12 oz. can tomato sauce
8 oz. can "El Pato" Mexican tomato sauce (found on the Mexican food aisle in a yellow can)
1 cup brown sugar
1-2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
1/2 cup water

Cook pork on low for 6-8 hours until cooked through. Shred pork and drain off any fat if necessary and add all the other ingredients. Continue to cook on low at least one more hour until ready to serve.

Apple Cider Pork Chops

So in a moment of weakness I bought a GALLON of apple cider that I thought was on sale. It turned out to not be on sale, I was too lazy to take it back, AND my husband refused to drink any of it. So I was so glad when I remembered seeing this recipe on my cousin's food blog thequeensofthekitchen.blogspot.com . One of her friends submitted it and it saved the day. And pork chops just so happened to be on sale, so I was one happy mama.

Apple Cider Pork Chops

Prepare pork chops by poking holes in them with a fork and season them with garlic salt & pepper. Saute in olive oil or butter until done. Top with caramelized onions (sliced onions sauteed with some salt & sugar until transparent and the color of caramel) and serve with mashed potatoes and apple cider gravy.

Gravy:

3-4 tbsp. butter

3-4 tbsp. flour

2 c. chicken broth

3/4 c. apple cider (the good stuff makes a difference!)

salt/pepper to taste

Create a roux using the butter & flour. Allow to cook 1-2 minutes, or until light brown. Whisk in the broth & cider on med-high heat. Allow to simmer & thicken for about 3 minutes, or until desired thickness. Season with salt and pepper.