No time for a real post today, so I'll just share a recent meal. I thought after work on Thursday, "You know, Cafe Rio sounds pretty good tonight. Maybe I should just have Cam pick some up..." But I felt a little guilt, considering that it's not a perfectly healthy choice and certainly not the cheapest. Then it occurred to me that I could make a good Cafe Rio-style meal all myself!
I ground some flour from spelt, kamut, quinoa, & wheat and set it to soak, figuring 6 hours of soaking was better than nothing. (Read here to find out why I soak.) Just as Cam was getting home I used the dough for homemade tortillas. My first attempt at these, and they turned out great! I felt so proud.
I put some black beans on the stove, hoping they would be soft in time for dinner (they almost made it). I threw in some garlic with them.
I threw a whole organic chicken in the oven, seasoned just with lemon juice, pepper, salt and garlic --- the remains of which I used for stock later in the week.
I put some brown rice in the rice cooker.
I chopped tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and of course plenty of cilantro! I grated some raw cheese.
The whole affair really didn't take me that long, since the only really time intensive part was the chopping (10 minutes), and rolling/frying the tortillas (15 minutes).
Luckily, I had bought some "homemade" creamy cilantro dressing earlier that week. Not the best option, since it did have sugar, but I'm sure there is a good recipe out there for a similar dressing. Next time!
The only thing missing was the guacamole. But I have since made Nonie's recipe (with plenty of added tomatoes), which I love!
I ground some flour from spelt, kamut, quinoa, & wheat and set it to soak, figuring 6 hours of soaking was better than nothing. (Read here to find out why I soak.) Just as Cam was getting home I used the dough for homemade tortillas. My first attempt at these, and they turned out great! I felt so proud.
I put some black beans on the stove, hoping they would be soft in time for dinner (they almost made it). I threw in some garlic with them.
I threw a whole organic chicken in the oven, seasoned just with lemon juice, pepper, salt and garlic --- the remains of which I used for stock later in the week.
I put some brown rice in the rice cooker.
I chopped tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and of course plenty of cilantro! I grated some raw cheese.
The whole affair really didn't take me that long, since the only really time intensive part was the chopping (10 minutes), and rolling/frying the tortillas (15 minutes).
Luckily, I had bought some "homemade" creamy cilantro dressing earlier that week. Not the best option, since it did have sugar, but I'm sure there is a good recipe out there for a similar dressing. Next time!
The only thing missing was the guacamole. But I have since made Nonie's recipe (with plenty of added tomatoes), which I love!
This looks so delicious! I have a weakness for Cafe Rio, though I haven't eaten there in a while for guilt reasons as well. This looks great!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find your soaked flour tortilla recipe?
There is a link embedded up there to Passionate Homemaking. (It's also in Nonie's Whole Food Snacks post). It's a delicious recipe, and they are soft and foldable like store-bought ones! Also very easy, evidenced by the fact that I can make them.
DeleteLooks delicious!! I love Cafe Rio and refuse to feel any guilt when I eat there :) However, I also love doing homemade Cafe Rio as well. I have always been intimidated by making homemade tortillas though, but you have inspired me and I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful table, Meredith! I'd take this over Cafe Rio ANY TIME ANY DAY! Quite a thorough replacement for an instant's hankering if you ask me. Wow. Isn't it great to know more precisely where all the ingredients are coming from?
ReplyDelete