Cooking Up Cottage

Category: Recipes

  • Strawberry Pie

    Strawberry Pie

    Spring is here, which means soon you’re going to need a great desert recipe for an upcoming event.  This strawberry pie is a light, refreshing desert that would be great to serve after Easter dinner, for a picnic, or even for a spring barbecue.  One of the best things about this strawberry pie is it is very easy to make.

    First you slice your strawberries into thin slices and put them in your pre-made graham cracker pie crust.Strawberry pieNow combine the cornstarch, sugar, and water in a small saucepan.  Bring this mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Then add the strawberry Jell-O and stir until dissolved. Pour over the strawberries.strawberry pie

    Now put the pie in the refrigerator until it sets up. That will take about 4 hours. Then it’s time to enjoy this refreshing pie. You can add a little whipped topping if you like or garnish it with fresh mint.

    Strawberry pie

     

    [yumprint-recipe id=’15’]

  • Banana Bars

    Banana Bars

     If you are like me each week you find this on your counter…

    bananas-in-bowl-w

    …ripe bananas from the week before.  When I see this, I think to myself do I throw them away or should I make something with them.  Well this week I decided to make banana bars with them.  Here’s a great recipe for you to use up your ripe bananas.

    First start by mixing your softened butter, sugar, eggs, mashed bananas, buttermilk and vanilla together in a bowl.  Then in a different bowl mix your dry ingredients flour, soda and salt.  Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until you have it all combined.  Next pour it into a greased 10×15 jelly roll pan or a different shallow baking pan.banana bars Spread batter in the pan and then bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

    Next it is time to make the buttercream frosting. In a mixer blend 1/3 cup softened butter, 1 lb. powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. salt until smooth.

    banana barsOnce your bars are cool, you can frost them.banana bars

    Now serve and enjoy!

    [yumprint-recipe id=’13’][yumprint-recipe id=’14’] 

     

  • Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger soup

     

    During this cold spring season, we constantly face temps going up and temps going down.  Some days we are over dressed while other days we are underdressed.  With these cool days wearing us down, it’s nice to have a simple meal that can power us back up so we feel energized and healthy again.  Here’s a recipe that will make you feel warm and cozy on these cold spring evenings.  My family calls it hamburger soup.  It’s packed with a lot of great vegetables that is sure to satisfy even the largest appetite.  

    First brown your beef and onion in a pan. Then drain off the excess fat.hamburger-in-pan-for-web

     

    Place the browned hamburger and onion along with 3 cups of water, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, and 1/4 cup minute rice in a large pot. Now pour in the vegetables. Add the shredded cabbage, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Note: you can leave out any of the vegetables that you don’t like and add vegetables you do like.

    cabbage

     

    potatos-in-soup-w

     

    Now add the seasoning, the 2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp basil and 1 bay leaf.  Then bring the mixture to a boil.  Once it is boiling, turn it down to low and simmer for 1 hour. Then remove the bay leaf.  And that’s it! 

    [yumprint-recipe id=’12’]

  • Taco Dip

    Taco DIp

     

    It’s Friday!  Which means it’s the perfect time to make some taco dip to enjoy with your friends this weekend. My family has made this taco dip for over 30 years for card club, get-togethers, and other party events.  We always loved the crispy, fresh taste of vegetables with every bite. This is a delicious dip that anyone can make and enjoy.  

    First you mix the softened cream cheese, the thousand island dressing, a can of chopped green chilies, and taco seasoning.

    taco dip

     

    Next, you need to spread the mixture into a 9″x13″ pan or plate.

    taco dip

     

    After spreading the mixture, top it with lettuce, tomatoes, a 1/2 can of kindney beans (with each bean cut in half), onion, cheddar cheese and sliced black olives. Serve with tortilla chips.  And that’s it!  Now it’s time to party.
    taco dip

    [yumprint-recipe id=’11’]