MY Cafe Rio (Style) Salad Dessing

10 Januay - 17 January, 2010

"We are on the road that leads to immortality and eternal life and today is a part of it. Let us never foget it." President Gordon B. Hinckley

#1 This week we celebrated Layne's 5 th bithday. (We will do Hilary's more next week.) I am happy Layne is our grandson and nephew and cousin. We had a party for him with family and friends on Friday night. It was fun, and very wild as the kids played wii. Thank-you so much, Emily for getting the pizza.

#2 This was the first birthday with our new Grandma and Grandpa "coin grab" tradition. Layne got $5.03. WOW!

#3 I have had a very fun week trying some new recipes. My kidults really think I have the best copycat Cafe Rio Dressing. This is not a new recipe. Just finally right (for us.) Everyone was happy to have salad on Sunday with my homemade tortilla strips. (The colour is a bit off in the pic. It is a beautiful bright (matching) green.)

MY Copy Cat Cafe Rio Dressing
(I adapted this from the internet, Janet Eyring (on Studio 5), and Our Best Bites)

If I give 2 measurments, start with the smaller amount and add to taste.
Mix in blender until well blended (and green ;-)

1 package DRY Ranch dressing mix
1/3 pack DRY Fiesta Ranch dip mix (Hidden Valley) (Janet Eyring idea)
1 cup mayonaise - I used light
1/3 cup sour cream-I use light
1/2 - 3/4 cup milk (I use 1%)
juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 cup LA COSTENA green salsa (the 1st ingredient is tomatillos-this is from OURBESTBITES)
2 cloves chopped/minced garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
dash of hot sauce or chili sauce (I use chili sauce)
1/2 - 3/4 cup cilantro leave

This dressing can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for about a week. It may need to be thinned with milk before serving. YUM!! (I think I made over 20 batches of this with variations.) Let me know what you think.

The next recipe got great reviews - from those that like the hot artichoke dip
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
(mostly from http://mindikamoments.com/ with a few changes that I made
Go see her original, and then see what I did.)
Cook and drain about 14 oz. of pasta. Then set aside. (I used Ronzoni rotini(in the purple box).)
In a large pan, brown

2 tea. veg. or olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic

Add and cook until chicken is cooked thru

2 large chicken breasts - cubed
Stir in until melted

12 oz. package cream cheese - I used light
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Then add and stir gently, then simmer until melted and thickened

1 can of artichokes - chopped
1 package frozen spinach - defrost, drain and then squeeze out all moisture first
2 cans drained chopped green chilis
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk - I used 1%
1 1/2 cup grated pamesaun cheese
salt and pepper - to taste

Pour into sprayed 9x13 baking dish and top with about 1/2 cup additional grated parmesaun cheese. Bake @ 350* for 20 - 30 mins. or until top is lightly browned. Served lots at Sunday dinner.)

#4 I have been doing this new thing where I only use cash for food, fun (D.I. shopping),CDs, DVDs ... I just get the amount that I have decided to use on payday. On Saturday Doug and I went to the Distribution Centre before the grocery store. (Darn having to walk thru Deseret Books to get to the Distribution Centre.) As we went thru I saw (in the clearance area because of damage) a book on my list to get. (It really was there.) hmm. Should I use my cash? It is 30% off? Doug pulled enough cash out of his pocket for me. (From a special project he had done.) Thank-you so much, honey. I love it.
It is called, "Another Testament Reflections of Christ" by Mark Mabry. His 2nd photography book that illustrates scriptures. I think both of his books are a beautiful testimony. (I still have the newest CD and DVD on my list. I can buy anything on my list. If I have the money.)

#5 Ashley went with her mom and aunts to check out where she and Mark will be having their reception in March. They invited me to go with them to the Panoramic Room at the University of Utah. It was a nice morning. Thank-you so much for including me, Ashley and Angela.

#6 MARK IS GETTING A CAR NEXT WEEK! I AM SO HAPPY! That means I get my van back. (Mark has been using it to go to work each day.) YEA! (He will get it next week.)

#7 Monday is a holiday. (More about that next week - after the holiday.) So, #1-no carpool. #2-We are going after dinner on Sunday to spend the night in Provo for a Monday activity. We will have fun.

#8 Mark spoke in the Sandy Heights Ward Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. He spoke on happiness and pleasure. He did a very nice job. Ashley, Doug and I went. Soon he will be gone from our home, but he (they) are prepared.

#9 I moved the serving table from the kitch to our bedroom. (Well, actually Mark and Doug did.) I am SO happy with the size of my new bedroom. We moved it into our bedroom so I could work on a project this week without having to put things away each day. I love our bedroom.

#10 I am happy that Doug and I are trying to do a date a week This idea, "Project 52::Date Nights" is from http://www.simplymodernmom.com/ . Since both of us would (usually) rather stay home, our date this week was to watch "Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God", a new mini-series on BYU (channel).