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Cafe Rio Inspired Tostada With Creamy Tomatillo-Cilantro Dressing

One of my favorite places to eat, back when I was a young college student, was Cafe Rio.  I would wait in Disneyland-long lines just to get my hands on one of their tostadas.  Dr. J thought I was crazy.  Well, for some reason, I've had them on my mind lately... so, for dinner last night, I made my own vegan version... and there were no lines to wait in, which Dr. J much appreciated.  I could seriously eat the dressing with a spoon.  It was sooooo good!

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
Ingredients
2 cups brown rice
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 lime
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions
1.  In a large pot, bring vegetable broth, olive oil, water, garlic and juice from 1/2 a lime to a boil.
2.  Add brown rice, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
3.  Remove from heat and stir in cilantro, sugar and juice from the other 1/2 lime.

Black Beans

Ingredients
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can yellow corn, drained
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 cloves garlic

Directions
1.  In a large saute pan, heat olive oil, garlic and cumin over medium heat until aromatic.
2.  Add remaining ingredients, stir and continue to cook until heated through.

Creamy Tomatillo-Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients
1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 clove fresh garlic
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
2 teaspoons minced dried onion
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
2 tomatillos, husk removed and chopped
1 bunch of fresh cilantro leaves
juice from 1 lime
1/2 to 1 jalapeno pepper
kosher salt to taste

Directions
1.  Place everything except the jalapeno and kosher salt, in a blender and mix.
2.  Cut the jalapeno into 4th's and add a section at a time, blend and taste as you go to get your desired amount of heat.
3.  Add salt to taste and blend until combined.

Assembling The Tostada

Ingredients
Black Beans
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
Creamy Tomatillo-Cilantro Dressing
Romaine lettuce
Tortilla of your choice
4 Roma tomatoes, diced
lime wedges

Directions
1.  Layer beans, rice. romaine lettuce and tomatoes on a tortilla.
2.  Drizzle the dressing on top and serve with lime wedges.


Labels:

Comments

Morgan@LittleHouseofVeggies said…
Left you a comment on another recipe but deleted it because I wasn't under my own account. You have been cooking up a storm over there! Lots of new recipes that I have missed while out of town. Looks so good! I love these types of meals. The Smores thing looks so good!!!
August 12, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Debra said…
Cafe Rio is one of my favorite places to eat because everything is made fresh daily. I love your recipes for the Tostada, Beans & the dressing. I am going to add this to my collection:)
August 12, 2010 at 10:21 PM
aimee said…
Elise, this looks great. I have been craving Latina food lately! Thanks for sharing:)
August 13, 2010 at 1:40 PM
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