Category: Recipes


Apr
2017

Simple S’mores Trail Mix

categories: Main Dishes, Recipes, Snacks

The weather has been warming up this week here in Iowa, which reminded me that soon we will be making s’mores by the campfire.  So when I was looking for a snack to make for my daughter’s sporting practice I had to try this recipe from Like Mother, Like Daughter.  It combines the perfect mix of sweet dark chocolate with some salt from the pretzels.   I filled up snack size baggies with this wonderful mix and the kids loved it.  My niece loves to assemble little miniature s’mores with all of the pieces as she snacked. So if you are looking for the taste of s’mores without the hassle of the campfire then try this fun blend of goodies.

Here are the ingredients you will need, 3 cups of Golden Graham Cereal, 2 cups of mini marshmallows,  1 cup of chocolate chips, 2 cups of pretzels, and 1 (10 oz.) package of Ghiradelli dark chocolate melting wafers.

Start by mixing the cereal, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and pretzels in a bowl.

Then spread out the mix on parchment paper.

Now melt one (10 oz.) bag of melting wafers according to the package directions in the microwave or on the stove top.  I used Ghiradelli dark chocolate, but you could use a different brand.

Then using a spoon drizzle the melted chocolate wafers over the mixture.

Now let the chocolate cool until it is set and then break it into pieces and fill your snack baggies or other containers.

 

Simple S'mores Trail Mix
A fun snack mix
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Ingredients
  1. 3 cups of Golden Graham Cereal
  2. 2 cups mini marshmallows
  3. 2 cups of pretzels
  4. 1 cup of chocolate chips
  5. 1 (10 oz.) package of Ghiradelli dark chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
  1. Start by mixing the cereal, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and pretzels in a bowl.
  2. Then spread out the mix on parchment paper.
  3. Now melt one (10 oz.) bag of melting wafers according to the package directions in the microwave or on the stove top. I used Ghiradelli dark chocolate, but you could use a different brand.
  4. Then using a spoon drizzle the melted chocolate wafers over the mixture.
  5. Now let the chocolate cool until it is set and then break it into pieces and fill your snack baggies or other containers.
Adapted from Like Mother, Like Daughter
Adapted from Like Mother, Like Daughter
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/

 

 

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Mar
2017

Beef Enchilada Casserole

categories: Main Dishes, Recipes

I love Tex-Mex food! Whether it’s fajitas, cheesy enchiladas or a giant burrito I could honestly live off of all of these for the rest of my life.  My family loves going to a restaurant here in the Midwest called, Carlos O’Kelly’s.  They feature the kind of Tex-Mex food that we love.  So when I made this week’s featured recipe, my husband said it reminded him of a favorite meal at the restaurant. It’s only natural that it has become a dish we have in our regular weekly meal rotation. This casserole features the flavor of spicy jalapeño peppers, hearty beef, and amazing cheese layered together to make this wonderfully simple weeknight favorite.  So let’s get started, because it is so good you’ll never want to make traditional enchiladas ever again!

First you can chop up the jalapeño pepper.  You may want to wear gloves and avoid touching your face and 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 it into fine pieces.

Next cook the hamburger in a pan until it is no longer pink. Then drain off the fat. Stir in the jalapeño pepper, 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilis, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

Then in a separate pan over medium heat mix together 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, and one can of enchilada sauce.  Cook until heated.

Now it is time to start layering the casserole. Spoon one-third of the sauce onto the bottom of a lightly greased 13″x 9″ baking dish.

Next layer 6 corn tortillas.

Spoon half of the beef mixture and one-third of the sauce mixture over the tortillas.

Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.

Top with 6 corn tortillas and then repeat the layer one more time ending with tortillas. Then sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped fresh cilantro.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Now you are ready to spice up your next taco Tuesday.

Beef Enchilada Casserole
A delicious Tex-Mex casserole
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Cook Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound ground beef
  2. 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
  3. 1 (10 oz.) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles
  4. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  5. 1 teaspoon cumin
  6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  7. 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  8. 1 (10 1/2oz.) can cream of chicken soup
  9. 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
  10. 1 (10 oz.) can red enchilada sauce
  11. 18 (6-inch) corn tortillas
  12. 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese
  13. 1 cup of shredded Monterey jack cheese
  14. 1 tomato diced
  15. 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
  1. First you can chop up the jalapeño pepper. You may want to wear gloves and avoid touching your face and 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 it into fine pieces.
  2. Next cook the hamburger in a pan until it is no longer pink. Then drain off the fat. Stir in the jalapeño pepper, 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilis, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
  3. Then in a separate pan over medium heat mix together 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, and one can of enchilada sauce. Cook until heated.
  4. Now it is time to start layering the casserole. Spoon one-third of the sauce onto the bottom of a lightly greased 13"x 9" baking dish.
  5. Next layer 6 corn tortillas.
  6. Spoon half of the beef mixture and one-third of the sauce mixture over the tortillas.
  7. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
  8. Top with 6 corn tortillas and then repeat the layer one more time ending with tortillas. Then sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped fresh cilantro.
  9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/

 

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Feb
2017

Ranch and Salsa Wraps

categories: Appetizers, Recipes

This wrap is perfect as a light lunch, appetizer, or a crowd-pleasing party food. With the big game coming up this Sunday, you will need something to take with you to the party you’re attending.  This wrap is packed full of flavor from everyone’s favorite ranch seasoning, healthy green peppers, and your choice of salsa.  With that much flavor going on, you can’t go wrong.  I used leftover rotisserie chicken in my wraps, which made my prep work very easy.  So let’s mix up the filling, get out the tortillas and start wrapping.

In a bowl mix 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken (if you just cooked the chicken you want to let it cool before putting it in this wrap or use leftover chicken or canned chicken), 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of salsa, 1 chopped green pepper, and 1 (1 oz.) package of dry ranch seasoning.

 

Fill tortillas with a 1/4 of the mixture and then roll them up.

Cut them into five pieces.

Arrange on a platter and refrigerate before and after serving. This recipe makes 21 small wraps.

Now you are ready for the big game with a yummy plate of appetizers.

Ranch and Salsa Wraps
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken (if you just cooked the chicken you want to let it cool before putting it in this wrap or use leftover chicken or canned chicken)
  2. 1/2 cup of sour cream
  3. 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  4. 1/2 cup of salsa
  5. 1 chopped green pepper
  6. 1 (1 oz.) package of dry ranch seasoning
  7. 4 (9 inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
  1. In a bowl mix 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken (if you just cooked the chicken you want to let it cool before putting it in this wrap or use leftover chicken or canned chicken), 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of salsa, 1 chopped green pepper, and 1 (1 oz.) package of dry ranch seasoning.
  2. Fill tortillas with a 1/4 of the mixture and then roll them up.
  3. Cut them into five pieces.
  4. Arrange on a platter and refrigerate before and after serving. This recipe makes 21 appetizers.
Cooking Up Cottage https://www.cookingupcottage.com/
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Jan
2017

Top 5 Recipes of 2016

categories: Desserts, Main Dishes, Recipes, Side dishes

From Meatball Baked Ziti to Strawberry Fluff Salad, these are the top 5 most clicked on recipes from 2016. Since 2016 just came to a close, I am thrilled to share the top 5 Cooking Up Cottage recipes of last year.  Now It seems you all enjoy a good main dish for a weeknight along with some goodies for dessert so I’ll be sure to include more of those recipes in 2017!  

1. Baked Ziti with Meatballs – This recipe features homemade meatballs, a delightful amount of gooey cheeses all mixed together with a hearty ziti pasta. [GET THE RECIPE HERE]

2. Cream Cheese and Chive Stuffed Chicken – This chicken recipe stays so moist when cooked to perfection, because it is baked in butter and its crispy coating holds in the juices. [GET THE RECIPE HERE]

3. Chicken Pot Pie – This recipe is so simple that your kids can help make it on those busy weeknights. And, it’s healthy since it’s packed full of vegetables so you can feel good about getting the kids to eat their corn, beans, carrots, peas, and green beans. The best part of this dish is the flakey, buttery crescent roll topping that is woven over the filling.  [GET THE RECIPE HERE]

4. Strawberry Fluff Salad – This is a fun, light, and fluffy salad. It will satisfy your party guests with its sweet flavor and heavenly fresh strawberries. [GET THE RECIPE HERE]

5. Blueberry Bars – This bar will make your taste buds dance. It has a blueberry topping on a wonderfully buttery cake. [GET THE RECIPE HERE] 

Happy New Year!

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