Cooking Up Cottage

Author: Lisa

Green Bean Casserole

Today I’m featuring a classic recipe that is a holiday meal favorite! My family has been wondering why this particular recipe wasn’t on the blog yet, since we’ve all gotten used to relying on this blog for our “grocery list” when we go to the store for ingredients. It’s so nice not having to carry around the paper recipe, not having to write down a list of ingredients. Now we just look it up on the phone, and we’re all set. Now my family is starting to name off a list of recipes that I need to feature, and Green Bean Casserole made the top of the list this week. This recipe is so simple to make, and it only requires four basic ingredients that combine to make a wonderful mixture topped with crunchy, flavorful, fried onions. So if you are bringing a dish to your family’s meal or you’re hosting a dinner, choose this family favorite for a guaranteed thumbs up from the bunch.

Start by greasing a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. If you are making this dish for a large crowd you will need to double the recipe and use a bigger casserole dish. Then drain the two cans of green beans.

Then put one can of beans in the bottom of the casserole dish.

Mix the can of soup and 1/2 of an empty soup can of milk in a bowl.

Pour half of this mixture over the beans.

Now add a layer of 3/4 of the can of crispy fried onions.

Add the other can of beans, the rest of the soup mixture, and then the rest of the onions.

Now bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

[yumprint-recipe id=’67’]

December 14, 2016
Mini Pigs in a Blanket

With Thanksgiving one week away, I know most of you are trying to figure out your meal plan for the big day. I’ve got a simple appetizer that will keep your guests satisfied while you are preparing the feast. My family always serves these little morsels out of a Crock-Pot to keep them warm during the party. And if you don’t finish them all, which is highly unlikely, they are equally delicious left over!

First you need to open 1 (8 oz.) package of crescent rolls and separate a square of two rolls. Then smooth out the triangular perforations.

Now cut the square into 8 strips. Repeat this process with all of the dough from the crescent roll tube.

Once you have all of the strips cut, you can wrap each Hillshire Farms Beef Little Smokies Cocktail Link with the dough.

There is about 32 little smokies in a package and one crescent roll tube should make 32 strips of dough. So now place the 32 wrapped smokies onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake them in a 375 degree oven for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.

I always serves the mini pigs in a blanket from a Crock-Pot so that they stay warm during the party. So all you have to do is get out your Crock-Pot and layer them between parchment paper that you have cut into circles. Start with a single layer of Pigs in a Blanket followed by a circular layer of parchment paper and keep layering until they are all in the Crock-Pot.

Now set your Crock-Pot on low and enjoy your Thanksgiving Day feast.

[yumprint-recipe id=’66’]

November 17, 2016
Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

Today I am featuring the last recipe in my series of back to school meals. Previous school night delights were Baked Ziti with Meatballs and BBQ Meat Loaf. Now let’s try my recipe for Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops. Everyone in your house is going to love this pork chop meal! With a wonderful garlic, parmesan cheese coating, that is baked in butter, these pork chops are going to make the members of your family ask for more. The coating is one of the reasons this meal is so good, the pork stays juicy with an incredible amount of flavor. And, it get’s better! Since they bake for 35-40 minutes it gives you time to do your evening chores. Then once you are ready to eat, voila! The perfect meal is ready to enjoy. So say goodbye to your old dry and bland tasting pork chops and try this amazing recipe today.

The ingredients you will need are 6 pork chops, 1 cup plain bread crumbs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese,1/2 cup of butter, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

In a bowl combine 1 cup of plain bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Now in a separate shallow dish melt 1/2 cup of butter.

Dip the pork chops in the butter and then into the bread crumbs mixture coating each side.

Place pork chops in a single layer in a 9″x13″ baking dish then drizzle remaining melted butter.Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145-160 degrees. And then let the pork chops rest in the pan for 3 minutes before serving.

[yumprint-recipe id=’65’]

October 5, 2016
BBQ Meatloaf

Today I am featuring the second recipe in my series of back to school meals. The first delicious and hearty meal I featured was Baked Ziti with Meatballs. This week I have a great recipe for you that was created by my mother-in-law Nancy. It’s her famous BBQ Meatloaf. She loves to serve it with baked potatoes and a vegetable and it is delightful! Nancy has made this meatloaf many times and it pleases all of the picky eaters in my family! This comforting meatloaf is highlighted with savory onions and a delicious bbq topping. You can conveniently whip all of the ingredients together in one bowl and then shape it in a 9″x 13″ pan. So you won’t have to dig out your loaf pan from the dark depths of your cupboards. And don’t forget that the leftovers make the best meatloaf sandwiches. So let’s get to mixing.

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Then put 20 saltines crackers (about 1/2 of a sleeve) in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling-pin.

Now chop 1/2 cup of onions into fine pieces.

Now in a bowl mix the 2 pounds of ground beef with the 20 saltine crackers that you crushed, the 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 eggs that you have beaten in a bowl, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Mix this together and form in into a loaf in your 9″x13′ pan.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Then add 1/2 cup of your favorite bbq sauce to the top of the meatloaf and then bake it for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the meatloaf reaches a temperature of 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Now you are ready to enjoy this weeknight favorite with your family.

[yumprint-recipe id=’64’]

September 21, 2016