Category: Side dishes

Cucumber and Onion Salad

cucumber and onion saladThis is one of my favorite recipes of the summer! It is the perfect way to enjoy the fresh cucumbers that are abundant this time of year.  It is one of my dad’s favorites; he prepares it every summer. It has a sweet and tangy flavor like Tangy Pea and Macaroni Salad and Old-Fashioned Potato Salad. And did I mention…this recipe is super easy to make. So let’s get started.

First you need 5 cucumbers.

cucumbersNext peel the skins off of the cucumbers. 

pealing cucumbersCut the cucumbers into thin slices. The thinner the slices the more of the flavor they will absorb while sitting in the dressing. 

sliced cucumbersSlice your half of an onion and then cut each slice in half.

sliced onionsMix your cucumbers and onions together in a bowl.

cucumbers and onionsAdd the 1 1/2 cups of sugar to the bowl.

cucumbers and sugarAdd the 3 tablespoons of vinegar.

cucumbers and vinegarAdd 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

cucumbers and salt and pepperAdd just enough water to cover the cucumbers in the bowl.

adding water

Now mix everything until it is all combined.  Then put it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to let the flavors combine and absorb into the cucumbers. Now you have the perfect addition to your next meal or you have a delicious, refreshing snack.

Cucumber and Onion Salad
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Ingredients
  1. 5 cucumbers
  2. 1/2 onion
  3. 1 1/2 cups sugar
  4. 3 tablespoons vinegar
  5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  6. 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  7. water (just enough to cover cucumbers in the bowl)
Instructions
  1. First you need 5 cucumbers. Next peel the skins off of the cucumbers. Cut the cucumbers into thin slices. The thinner the slices the more of the flavor they will absorb while sitting in the dressing. Slice your half of an onion and then cut each slice in half. Mix your cucumbers and onions together in a bowl. Add the 1 1/2 cups of sugar to the bowl. Add the 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Add just enough water to cover the cucumbers in the bowl. Now mix everything until it is all combined. Then put it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to let the flavors combine and absorb into the cucumbers.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/

 

Pico de Gallo


Pico de GalloHere is a tasty recipe for classic Pico de Gallo that is simple and fresh.  Now you can make it at home and eat it with your tacos, fajitas, or just with crispy corn chips. I used the cilantro I’m growing in my herb garden out back for some great fresh flavor.  It’s also a great way to use the tomatoes and onions from your garden that are just starting to get ripe. So let’s get started.  

Chop up your three tomatoes, one onion, and two sprigs of cilantro until they are finely chopped.

Pico de Gallo 1Now you can chop up your half of a jalapeño. To chop the jalapeño you may want to wear gloves and do not touch your face or eyes while chopping. Cut the jalapeño stem off, then cut the pepper in half, and remove the seeds along with the white membrane. These are the hottest parts of the pepper.Pico de Gallo 2Then chop the jalapeño into fine pieces.

Pico de Gallo 3Now you have everything chopped.

Pico de Gallo 5In a medium bowl combine the chopped tomato, onion, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed. 

Pico de Gallo 6Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Now you have the perfect fresh Pico de Gallo to enjoy for the rest of the summer.Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo
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Ingredients
  1. 3 medium tomatoes diced
  2. 1 onion finely chopped
  3. 1/2 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
  4. 2 sprigs of cilantro finely chopped
  5. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  6. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Chop up your three tomatoes, one onion, and two sprigs of cilantro until they are finely chopped. Now you can chop up your half of a jalapeño. To chop the jalapeño you may want to wear gloves and do not touch your face or eyes while chopping. Cut the jalapeño stem off, then cut the pepper in half, and remove the seeds along with the white membrane. These are the hottest parts of the pepper. Then chop the jalapeño into fine pieces. Now you have everything chopped. In a medium bowl combine the chopped tomato, onion, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/




 

 

 

Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon

Twice baked potatoes with baconIf you are a bacon lover, you must try this recipe for Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon for your next snack, meal, or BBQ.  It has a yummy garlic potato taste with the smoky bacon that will make everyone cheer yum, yum!

Start with your 3 baked potatoes.  I baked my potatoes in the microwave before I started; 11 minutes for three potatoes.  That is 5 minutes for 1 potato and 3 minutes more for each additional potato.  Make sure you poke a few holes in each potato with a fork before microwaving. Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the potato to within 1/4 inch of the skins.

Twice baked potatoes with baconIn a bowl mash the scooped out potato with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt, and 1/2 cup of sour cream.

Twice baked potatoes with baconNow add the cooked crumbled bacon.  Doesn’t that bacon look absolutely fabulous?

Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon 3Brush the outside of the potato skins with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.  Spoon the potato and sour cream mixture equally back into the skins.

Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon 4

Top each with some of the grated cheddar cheese.

Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon 5In a 475 degree oven, bake the filled skins for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with sour cream and parsley.  Now sit back and enjoy your potatoes and bacon…comfort food at its best!

Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon
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Ingredients
  1. 3 large baked potatoes
  2. 2 tablespoons of melted butter
  3. 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
  4. 3 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  5. 1/2 cup of sour cream
  6. 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
  1. Start with your 3 baked potatoes. I baked my potatoes in the microwave before I started; 11 minutes for three potatoes. That is 5 minutes for 1 potato and 3 minutes more for each additional potato. Make sure you poke a few holes in each potato with a fork before microwaving. Cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the potato to within 1/4 inch of the skins. In a bowl mash the scooped out potato with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt, and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Now add the cooked crumbled bacon. Brush the outside of the potato skins with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Spoon the potato and sour cream mixture equally back into the skins. Top each with some of the grated cheddar cheese. In a 475 degree oven, bake the filled skins for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with sour cream and parsley.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roundup Beans


roundup-beans-wHere’s a side dish that is perfect for any potluck or BBQ event.  My mom has been making this Roundup Beans recipe for many years; it’s a family favorite!  This recipe takes baked beans to another level by adding ground beef and a delicious mix of beans.  Try this at your next grill out and you will not be disappointed!

Brown your ground beef and season it with salt and pepper.  Then drain off the excess grease.hamburgerIn a casserole dish mix up the ground beef, drained kidney beans, drained butter beans, and 2 cans of pork and beans.  Then add in a 1/2 cup of ketchup.ketchup in beansAdd in a 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard.

mustard-wNext add in a 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

brown-sugar-wThen bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.  Now you can share this wonderful side dish with your family and friends.

Roundup-Beans-2-w

Roundup Beans
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Cook Time
1 hr
Cook Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1 lb. ground beef
  2. 1 (15.5 oz) can light red kidney beans (drained)
  3. 1 (16 oz.) can butter beans (drained)
  4. 2 (15 oz.) cans of pork and beans
  5. 1/2 cup ketchup
  6. 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  7. 1/2 cup brown sugar
  8. salt
  9. pepper
Instructions
  1. Brown your ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Then drain off the excess grease. In a casserole dish mix up the ground beef, drained kidney beans, drained butter beans, and 2 cans of pork and beans. Then add in a 1/2 cup of ketchup. Add in a 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard. Next add in a 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Then bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/