Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch 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 jalepeno

Mix all ingredients together in the blender. That's it!

Cafe Rio Black Beans

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

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.

(**NOTE** You can add a can of corn, drained, to the beans with a dash of cumin and chili powder, it's not "traditional Cafe Rio")

Cafe Rio 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

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.

Southwest Pasta Salad

makes a huge bowl that will feed at least 12

1 16 oz. box fusilli pasta

1 can corn

1 can black beans

1/2 small red onion diced

1 small bunch cilantro fresh, chopped

1 small red pepper, diced

2 cups Spicy Ranch dressing

Boil pasta about 12 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water. Let cool about 15 minutes. Put pasta into large mixing bowl and add dressing. Mix until pasta is coated well. Drain cans of corn and black beans and mix into pasta. Add remaining ingredients and give a good stir. This is best served chilled.

Easy Homeade Vanilly Icecream

Ingredients:
4 cups half-and-half or light cream
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND®-Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Directions: In large bowl, combine ingredients; mix well. Pour into ice cream freezer container. Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze leftovers.

* We made this icecream last night, it is a good recipe. Gage added melted Nutella into the icecream and then froze it in the freezer. Yum!

Baked Oatmeal with Almonds and Cherries

Serves: 8

Cooking Time: 45 min

• 2 cups old-fashioned Quaker oats
• ¹/2 teaspoon almond flavoring
• ¹/2 cup almonds, sliced
• 1 large apple, unpeeled and grated
• 4 cups milk
• ¹/4 cup brown sugar
• ¹/2 cup dried cherries

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat 3-quart dish or baking pan with cooking spray.
   
2. In mixing bowl, combine Quaker oats, almond flavoring, almonds, apple, milk, brown sugar and cherries. Transfer to baking dish. Sprinkle top with additional almonds.
   
3. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Serve hot.

Variation: Omit all almond flavoring and cherries. Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1/2 cup raisins, and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts.

Easy Crockpot Oatmeal

Serves: 4

• 1 cup Quaker oats
• ¹/3 cup raisins (optional)
• 2 ¹/4 cups water
• Apples (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Nuts (optional)

1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray.
   
2. Combine oats, water and other ingredients if desired.
   
3. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.