Vanilla Wafer Crust

Mix together 1 1/2 cups fine vanilla wafer crumbs (about 36 wafers) and 6 Tbs. melted margerine.  Press into pie pan and chill.  *I like to add a little brown sugar to enhance the taste.  The crust stays together better if it is baked a little.

Recipe Courtesy of
Carol Hansen

Graham Cracker Crust

Combine 1 1/4 fine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar (I like brown), and 6 Tbs. melted margerine.  Mix together and press firmly into pie pan.  bake at 375* for 6-9 minutes or until edges are browned.

Variation
Chocolate Cookie Crust - Don't add anything but margerine and bake like the graham cracker crust.  This is a great shell to layer ice cream in for summer pie.

Perfect Pie Crust

This is Judie's super easy, perfect every time, pie crust.  This will make enough for two double pies.

Cut together:

3 cups of flour
1 1/4 cup shortening
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Beat 1 egg, add 5-7 Tbs. ice water, and 1 Tbs. vinegar.  Add to flour mixture, lifting together gently with a fork.  Brush the edges with egg yokes and sprinkle with some sugar.  Bake @ 425 for 12-15 min.

Paije's famous Asiago Bread

Caution....you will want to eat the whole loaf!

1 cup Asiago Shredded Cheese
1 cup Shredded Jack Cheese
1/2 cup Mayo
1/2 bunch of Green Onions (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (minced) or about 2 tsp.
1/4 cup melted butter

Stir all the ingredients together and spread over cut french bread.  Bake 375 until cheese is bubbling and golden on top. 

Meatball Subs

I've made these a few times now and everyone loves them.  

Italian Meatballs
Favorite Pasta Sauce
Monterey Jack Cheese/Provolone or Cheddar
Hoagie Buns
Butter
Garlic Salt

Heat meatballs in a shallow dish @ 375 until internal temperature reaches 165.  Add pasta sauce on top of meatballs about half way through.  Butter hoagie buns and sprinkle with garlic salt.  Place hoagies under the broiler until edges are golden brown.  Add meatballs to sub and top with your favorite cheese.  Place back under the broiler until cheese melts and VOILA!  Super easy, quick dinner.

Stacy's Lemon Drink

1 Tbs. citric Acid (fred meyer carries it in bulk spice section)
1 Tbs. lemon flavoring or extract
2 cups sugar
1 gallon of cold water

Mix until everything is dissolved and add freshly sliced lemon and lime if you want.

Cafe Rio Recipes

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small bottle kraft zesty italian dressing
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. cumin
3 cloves garlic (minced)
5 lbs chicken breasts

Cook all together in crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat & cook an additional hour

Cafe Rio Pork

1 pork roast or pork loin
1.5 cans coca cola (classic)
1 cup sugar
1 (7 oz.) can chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
1 tsp. (heaping) dry ground mustard
1 tsp. (heaping) cumin
1 tsp. garlic (minced)

Remove chilis from the can of adobo sauce (if you leave them in it's much hotter).  Add all ingredients (except pork) in a blender.  Rinse can of adobo sauce with coke to get all the sauce out.  Blend until well mixed.  Place pork in a crock pot and pour sauce over it.  Cook on low 7-9 hours or until pork pulls apart with a fork.

Cafe Rio Rice

3 cups water
4 tsp. chicken bouillon
4 tsp. garlic (minced)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 can green chilies
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs. butter
1/2 onion
3 cups rice

Blend cilantro, green chilies & onion together in food processor.  Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients.  Simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Or just dump in a rice cooker.

Cafe Rio Dressing

1 pckg. buttermilk ranch dressing
2 tomatillos
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 clove of garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 Jalapeno (I leave this out)

Make ranch dressing as per packet instructions.   Take the husks of the tomatillos.  Use the seeds of the jalapeno if you like spicy dressing (I don't add any).  Use a food processor to blend all ingredients together well and then refrigerate.

Assemble however you like.  We love the cook at home tortillas from costco.  Add cheese and black beans and chopped lettuce.

Thanks Kathleen!