cilantro: an ode to Penny. and Lolly.

Lolly is part of A Notion or Two with me. Her blog is delightful and she's always sharing cute things to download and print as well as guest recipe each Sunday. I was reading last Sunday's post and saw that Penny was the guest! Penny, from Sewtakeahike, was my partner in swapping crime last fall and I've really enjoyed getting to know her. She is sweet, kind, generous, helpful and creative! You really should check out her tutorials and the PDF downloads she has available too.

I had fun reading the interview Lolly did and found out that Penny loves cilantro! Another reason we are friends. I told her about this dressing recipe I had and that I would post it for her.

There is this place I love to eat when I go to Utah to visit my mom. It's called Cafe Rio and their pork barbacoa is, um, well, . . . I'm at a loss for words. It's incredible. It's sweet and juicy and I can never get enough. When you have it with their fresh tortillas it's like candy. You can watch them make their tortillas while you wait in line. I think I read on one of their signs that they don't even have freezers in their restaurants - everything is FRESH.

They have a dressing for their salads that's to-die-for. I've come across many recipes trying to copy their concoctions. The pork is difficult to recreate but I think I've tweaked the dressing recipe so that it comes pretty close.

It's really pretty simple. Just put the following in your blender:

1 packet buttermilk recipe ranch dressing
1/2 to 1 cup mayo (the more you use the thicker the dressing - I use less)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 bunch cilantro (stems trimmed)
5-6 pickeled jalapeno slices
5-6 tomatillos (fresh or canned)
lime juice to taste (I'm generous)

Puree until smooth,

admire it's pretty green color and dark flecks of green,

Proceed to put it on anything and everything you can get your hands on!

I love this on taco salad, tacos, nachos, as a dip, on a spoon, through a straw. You get the idea!


So Penny, I hope you enjoy this! And thank you for the award!

I can think of so many people I would like to pass this on to. So consider yourself awarded if you are reading this or find your link on my sidebar. I'm continually impressed, amazed and inspired by all the awesome things I see people doing on their blogs. Thank you all for motivating me to do the things I love to do. I love sharing them with you! I'm not sure I would be as productive without this supportive community to share with.


:::If you are interested in my reworkings of the other recipes (sweet pork, cilantro-lime rice, black beans) for the salad, leave me a comment with your email and I can send you a word doc. I don't know how to make PDFs. :::