An Oregon Cottage’s Top 22 Reader-Favorite Homemade Recipes: Best of 2016 & All-Time Classics
Welcome back to An Oregon Cottage! As another year concludes, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the culinary journey we’ve shared. Here, we’re diving into the most beloved homemade recipes that captured your hearts and kitchens throughout 2016, alongside timeless classics that have graced our tables since the blog’s inception. From wholesome main dishes to delightful desserts and essential pantry basics, these 22 recipes represent the very best of simple, real food cooking. Whether you’re a long-time reader or new to our community, prepare to discover (or rediscover!) an array of delicious, easy-to-make dishes like our incredibly Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, versatile Homemade Vinaigrette 4 Ways, and the amazingly popular Garlic Green Beans.
I hope you all enjoyed a truly wonderful Christmas holiday season! Ours was filled with warmth, good company, and cherished moments with family and friends. This time of year always brings a special opportunity to unwind and appreciate the simple joys.
Just as I do every year, I love taking a moment to recap the previous year’s most popular content. It’s an invaluable exercise for me, helping me understand what resonated most with you, what you found most helpful, and what culinary inspirations you embraced. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to introduce new readers to the wealth of information available here at An Oregon Cottage. This blog traditionally focuses on three core areas: homemade food and delicious recipes, practical organic gardening tips, and creative DIY projects for your home and garden. However, this past year, I made a conscious effort to dedicate more time and focus to developing and sharing our best real food recipes.
Because of this renewed focus on the kitchen, I’ve decided to structure our “Best Of” lists for 2016 into two distinct categories: this post, highlighting our Top Recipes, and a separate feature coming later this week, covering our Top Gardening & DIY Projects. This allows us to give each area the attention it deserves and makes it easier for you to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a new dinner idea or a weekend project.
Beyond these popular content roundups, you can also look forward to my annual goals recap, sharing my achievements from 2016 and outlining exciting new goals for the upcoming year. Additionally, I’ll be sharing my top book recommendations from 2016 (and you can revisit last year’s top reads here). Keep an eye out for these posts in the next few weeks as we continue to reflect and plan!
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the delicious world of An Oregon Cottage’s most popular recipes of 2016, according to valuable insights from Google analytics. You’ll actually find two distinct countdowns below, each leading to its own #1 favorite:
- Top 11 Recipes in 2016: These are the fresh, new, or simply surging recipes that captivated our audience most in the past year.
- Top 11 Recipes of All Time: A collection of evergreen classics that have consistently ranked as reader favorites throughout the entire lifespan of An Oregon Cottage. These are truly tested and beloved dishes!
Why 11? Well, sometimes it’s fun to just change things up a bit from the usual “top 10”! I sincerely hope you’ll take a moment to let me know what YOUR personal favorite recipes were this year – especially if they didn’t quite make it onto these highly competitive lists! Your input helps shape the future content here at AOC.
The 11 Most Popular Recipes from 2016
These recipes took center stage in 2016, proving themselves to be incredibly popular and frequently visited. They range from innovative side dishes to quick, healthy meals, showcasing the diverse tastes of our community.
11. Baked Potato Fans (aka, Hasselback Potatoes)
This elegant and surprisingly easy side dish adds a touch of gourmet flair to any meal. The unique fanned slices ensure a crispy exterior and a tender, fluffy interior, making it a beloved alternative to traditional baked potatoes. It’s perfect for impressing guests or simply elevating a weeknight dinner.
10. Bacon Caesar Slaw
A brilliant twist on two classics, this Caesar Slaw combines the creamy, tangy flavors of Caesar dressing with the refreshing crunch of cabbage and the irresistible saltiness of bacon. It’s a fantastic side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or simply as a fresh accompaniment to grilled meats, proving that slaw can be exciting.
9. Strawberry Shortcake with Crunchy Drop Biscuits
Nothing says summer quite like fresh strawberry shortcake, and this recipe elevates the experience with perfectly crunchy drop biscuits. It’s a simple yet sensational dessert that highlights the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries, making it a perennial favorite for gatherings and a beloved taste of home.
8. Baked White Fish with Parmesan-Herb Crust {ready in 20 minutes}
For a healthy, flavorful, and incredibly quick weeknight dinner, this baked white fish recipe is a winner. The Parmesan-herb crust adds a savory crispness that perfectly complements the tender fish, making it a light yet satisfying meal option that can be on the table in just 20 minutes.
7. Healthy, Quick Maple-Honey Granola
Ditch store-bought granola for this wholesome homemade version, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and honey. It’s perfect for breakfast with yogurt, a crunchy topping for fruit, or a satisfying snack on its own. This recipe offers a customizable, healthy alternative that’s easy to prepare and keeps well.
6. Classic Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
A truly classic Caesar salad hinges on its dressing, and this homemade recipe delivers all the rich, tangy, and garlicky flavor you crave. It’s simple to whip up, far superior to store-bought versions, and essential for elevating your salads from ordinary to extraordinary. Once you try it, you’ll never go back.
5. Perfect Honey Mustard Dressing
Sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced, this homemade honey mustard dressing is incredibly versatile. It’s not just for salads; it makes an excellent dip for chicken tenders, a glaze for salmon, or a spread for sandwiches. Its simplicity and delightful flavor profile make it a kitchen staple.
4. Homemade Spicy Peanut Sauce
This vibrant and flavorful spicy peanut sauce is a game-changer for Asian-inspired dishes. Perfect for stir-fries, noodle bowls, spring rolls, or as a dipping sauce, it’s bursting with sweet, salty, and spicy notes. Making it at home allows you to control the heat and freshness, creating a truly superior condiment.
3. Amazing Garlic Green Beans (with skillet & grill options)
Simple ingredients combine to create an unexpectedly “amazing” side dish that elevates everyday green beans. Infused with rich garlic flavor and cooked to tender-crisp perfection, this recipe offers both skillet and grill options, making it versatile for any season and a fantastic way to enjoy your vegetables.
2. Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Real Food Scalloped Potatoes
Taking the classic comfort food of scalloped potatoes and making it effortless in the slow cooker, this recipe became an instant hit. Layered with tender potatoes, plenty of garlic, and rich, real cheese, it’s the perfect fuss-free side dish for holidays, potlucks, or a hearty family dinner, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
And the #1 most popular recipe for 2016 is…
1. Homemade Vinaigrette Salad Dressing 4 Ways
Claiming the top spot for 2016 is our incredibly versatile homemade vinaigrette. This foundational recipe teaches you how to create not one, but four distinct and delicious salad dressings from a single basic formula. It’s a true kitchen essential, empowering you to ditch store-bought versions filled with unhealthy ingredients and effortlessly customize your salads with fresh, vibrant flavors. Its popularity underscores a desire for healthier, simple homemade pantry basics.
Top Recipes of All Time: An Oregon Cottage Classics
These are the enduring favorites, the recipes that have consistently drawn readers over the years, proving their timeless appeal and essential place in kitchens everywhere. These classics demonstrate that simple, real food always wins.
11. How to Roast & Freeze Beets
This practical guide for preparing and preserving beets has been a long-standing favorite. It demystifies the process of roasting beets to perfection and then freezing them for later use, making it easy to enjoy this nutritious root vegetable year-round. It’s a testament to our readers’ interest in home food preservation.
10. Amazing Homemade Butter Mints
These delightful, melt-in-your-mouth butter mints are surprisingly easy to make and offer a nostalgic charm. Perfect for holiday gifts, party favors, or a sweet treat after dinner, their simple ingredients and irresistible flavor have made them a cherished recipe for years.
9. Perfectly Salted DIY Roasted Almonds {seriously the BEST}
Why buy expensive roasted almonds when you can make them perfectly at home? This recipe delivers perfectly crunchy, richly flavored, and just-right salted almonds every time. They make a healthy snack, a wonderful addition to salads, or a thoughtful homemade gift, consistently proving their superior taste.
8. Quick Homemade Pizza Dough
Family pizza night gets a major upgrade with this easy and quick homemade pizza dough recipe. It eliminates the need for store-bought versions and delivers a deliciously chewy crust that forms the perfect base for all your favorite toppings. This recipe has been a staple for countless homemade pizza enthusiasts.
7. Home-Canned Pizza Sauce
Complementing the homemade pizza dough, this home-canned pizza sauce recipe allows you to capture the taste of summer tomatoes for year-round pizza enjoyment. It’s a fantastic way to preserve your garden’s bounty or take advantage of fresh, in-season produce, ensuring you always have delicious, wholesome pizza sauce on hand.
6. 7 Things To Do with Sprouted Potatoes
This resourceful post tackles a common kitchen dilemma, offering practical and creative solutions for what to do with sprouted potatoes. It’s a prime example of our frugal, waste-not philosophy and has helped many readers find new uses for produce they might otherwise discard, making it an invaluable resource.
5. Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread
Embrace the satisfying art of sourdough baking with this surprisingly easy artisan bread recipe. It demystifies the process, allowing even novice bakers to create a crusty, flavorful loaf with a chewy interior. The rewarding experience of baking your own sourdough has made this a perpetually popular choice.
4. Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread 101
Say goodbye to store-bought, often nutrient-deficient sandwich bread with this comprehensive guide to baking soft, delicious, 100% whole wheat bread at home. It’s perfect for everyday sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter. This recipe is a cornerstone for those seeking healthier, homemade pantry staples.
3. Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
These incredibly soft and fluffy dinner rolls, made entirely with whole wheat flour, prove that healthy can also be utterly delicious. They’re a staple for holiday meals, Sunday dinners, or any occasion where you crave a warm, comforting bread side. Their wholesome goodness and ease of preparation keep them high on our list.
2. Homemade Vinaigrette Salad Dressing 4 Ways (Yes, this recipe is so good, it’s the only one to appear on both lists!)
Reappearing as a timeless classic, our versatile Homemade Vinaigrette Salad Dressing continues to be a top performer. Its ability to transform simple ingredients into four distinct and delectable dressings highlights its enduring value. Readers appreciate the health benefits and cost savings of making their own dressings, making this a true kitchen staple and a testament to the power of basic homemade ingredients.
And the #1 most popular recipe from An Oregon Cottage of all time is…
1. Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Onion Dijon Sauce
Taking the ultimate crown as the most popular recipe on An Oregon Cottage of all time is this truly transformative dish! These Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Onion Dijon Sauce have been a consistent reader favorite since their publication, changing minds about humble cabbage with every bite. Roasting brings out an incredible sweetness and tenderness, while the savory, tangy onion-Dijon sauce adds a burst of unforgettable flavor. It’s a simple, healthy, and incredibly delicious way to enjoy vegetables, proving that even the simplest ingredients can be elevated to culinary stardom with the right touch. This recipe embodies our philosophy of making real food taste amazing.
Thank you for making An Oregon Cottage a part of your culinary journey! We cherish your presence and value your thoughts. What were your favorite recipes from this year, or perhaps a long-standing personal favorite that didn’t make these lists? Do you have any suggestions for new recipes you’d love to see us develop in the coming year? Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send me an email. I truly appreciate you stopping by regularly and your input helps shape the future of our content!