Some recipes that have scored with the kiddo's!

I have tried some new recipes this month and the family has loved them! I wanted to share them with you!
Copycat of the Cafe Rio Salad
Rice
3 cups water
4tsp chicken bullion or 4 cubes
4 tsp minced garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 can green chili's
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbls butter
1/2 yellow onion
3 cups long grain rice
Blend together cilantro, chilis and onion
Bring water to boil. Add all ingredients. Turn to simmer covered 30 mins. Stir when done
Chicken
1 small bottle of Kraft zesty Italian dressing
1tbls chili powder and cumin
3 cloves of minced garlic
5 pounds chicken breast
Salad dressing
Blend all ingredients together
3 Tomatillos
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 to 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 tsp ground Cayenne pepper
After blending put in fridge for 1 hour before serving

Serve all of the above with Romain lettuce and enjoy!
*the dressing is a little too spicey for my kids so I just use regular ranch dressing on theirs.

Home Made Mac & Cheese
1tbls vegatble oil or extra virgin olive oil
2 tbls butter
3 tbls flour
1 1/2 c whole or 2% milk (I used 1%)
3 c white cheddar cheese (I have used sharp cheddar, parmesean and swiss)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
a couple of pinches of salt
1 pound elbow macaroni cooked 8 mins or to al dente with a little bite to it
Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil and butter, about one turn of hte pan. When the butter melts into the oil, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook, about three mins.

Slowly add milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow milk to thicken a bit, then stirl in two cups of cheese.

Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Taste and add salt if you like. Add over cooked pasta and coat completely. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place baking dish under a hot groiler and brown the cheese on top.
* My kids didn't like the spicey flavor so I cut down on the spices. But when I make it just for me and Brad I make it as above. We love it! Also by adding different types of cheese it gives it more flavor.

Thank You to Holly for sharing the Salad recipe and the other recipe comes from Rachael Ray.