Discover Your Next Favorite: Top Recipes, DIYs, and Gardening Tips from 2022 & Our All-Time Most Popular!

Welcome, dear readers! As another year turns, it’s a wonderful tradition to pause and reflect on the culinary creations, home improvements, and gardening triumphs that truly resonated with both our community and me. This annual “best of” list is more than just a recap; it’s a celebration of shared passions, delicious meals, functional living, and successful gardening.

Curating these lists helps me understand what you, our incredible audience, are eager to see more of. For instance, over the years, the consistent love for our homemade recipes has led us to share more culinary delights, while still offering practical DIY and gardening advice. It’s also a personal journey, reminding me of the projects and dishes that brought me the most joy and satisfaction throughout the year.

An Oregon Cottage proudly celebrates 14 years in 2023!

Fourteen years feels almost unbelievable, and it’s all thanks to you – our dedicated readers who visit and spend time exploring the site. To commemorate another fantastic year, I’ve compiled two distinct “Top-10” lists. My hope is that you’ll discover a hidden gem you might have missed, or perhaps be reminded of a wonderful idea you’ve been meaning to try. These curated selections aim to inspire and delight, whether you’re a seasoned homesteader, a passionate gardener, or a home cook seeking new, delicious recipes.

First, we’ll dive into my top 10 personal favorites from 2022 – these are the recipes, projects, and tips I used, cooked, and enjoyed the most. Following that, we’ll unveil the 10 most popular posts of all time on An Oregon Cottage, based on reader engagement over our entire 14-year history. Get ready to explore some tried-and-true favorites!

My Favorite Recipes & DIYs from 2022: Personal Picks & Must-Tries

These personal favorites from 2022 are presented in chronological order of their publication, from January to December. It’s truly impossible for me to pick a single “number one” – I genuinely cherish them all for different reasons, from their delicious flavors to their practical impact on our home and garden.

1. Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation: A Stunning Before & After Transformation

While I pour my heart and soul into every room renovation in our 1900 farmhouse, the kitchen holds a special place in my heart. Beyond being the most used space daily, it’s a constant source of joy to see how my design choices seamlessly blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. The abundant natural light and the preserved character of the old home truly make it sing. Every morning, stepping into this bright and welcoming space feels like a dream realized, making it an undeniable top favorite.

2. Irresistible Simple Baked Pasta With Cheese

My general stance on pasta is often “take it or leave it,” but this simple baked pasta with cheese is a delicious exception I’ve been making for years – it’s always a “take it, please!” The secret lies in the harmonious blend of rich marinara and savory sausage, layered with a medley of different cheeses. I frequently clean my plate when this comforting dish is served. Plus, the fact that it requires only minutes of hands-on prep time, and that everyone I serve it to absolutely adores it, is just the icing on the cake. It’s a perfect weeknight meal or a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

3. Homemade Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette: A Salad Game Changer

While a good homemade vinaigrette is always just a quick shake away in a jar, the moment I combined the tangy depth of balsamic vinegar with the sweet warmth of maple syrup, it was a match made in culinary heaven. This particular dressing graced more salads than I can possibly count last year and has firmly secured its place as a pantry staple for years to come. It elevates even the simplest greens to a gourmet experience, proving that sometimes, the easiest recipes yield the most delightful results.

4. The Easiest & Most Effective Way to Trellis Tomatoes

My gardening goal has always been to find the most efficient way to trellis tomatoes, ensuring they remain upright and productive throughout the season without excessive effort. When my aunt shared her brilliant method of trellising plants on sturdy cattle or hog panels, complete with a no-pruning approach and an ingenious tie system, it felt like the garden angels themselves were singing. This technique completely transformed my tomato harvest, eliminating the usual struggle of flopping plants and greatly simplifying maintenance. I adopted it immediately and have never looked back, recommending it to every gardener seeking a more streamlined and successful tomato season.

5. Flavorful & Super Easy Grilled Vegetables

It’s no surprise that this incredibly simple yet flavorful recipe made my top favorites list – it features on our family menu 2-3 times a week during the summer and fall! The beauty of these easy grilled vegetables is their versatility; you can use whatever fresh veggies you have on hand. By simply changing up the seasoning, you can create a completely different flavor profile with the same straightforward grilling method. They’re a delicious and healthy side dish that perfectly complements any meal, making healthy eating both convenient and incredibly satisfying. SO good and endlessly adaptable.

6. Roasted Chipotle Salsa for Canning or Freezing

I surprised myself by venturing into a new canned salsa recipe, given how much I adore my go-to thick and flavorful basic salsa. While that recipe remains a staple for its incredible ease and taste, I now make sure to prepare a batch or two of this intensely smoky, chipotle-spiced, thick roasted salsa alongside it. The deep, complex flavors from roasting the ingredients and the kick from the chipotles offer a wonderful alternative to our traditional salsa. Having delicious choices on the canning shelf is always a fantastic thing, ensuring variety and excitement in our pantry.

7. Quick Sourdough Vegetable Fritters (Sourdough Discard Recipe)

I mentioned earlier that choosing a single favorite would be tough, but if I truly had to pinpoint one, these quick sourdough vegetable fritters might just take the top spot. I absolutely love them and happily enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Oh, and when they’re spread with a spicy mayo? They are simply the BEST! This recipe is a triple win: it cleverly uses up the extra sourdough starter I have when I’m refreshing it for bread making, they are incredibly tasty, and they’re packed with healthy vegetables. A perfect solution for utilizing discard and enjoying a nutritious, versatile meal.

8. Decadent Honey Caramel Triple Nut Tart

This honey caramel nut tart truly looks rich and utterly decadent, but here’s a pleasant surprise: it’s actually lower in sugar than many traditional desserts, and the diverse variety of nuts contributes valuable nutrients. I’m not claiming it’s a health food, but it is certainly a healthier alternative to some other sweet treats – and you would never guess it from its incredible taste! This tart quickly became my go-to dish to bring to holiday gatherings, and it was always met with rave reviews. It’s the perfect blend of indulgence and mindful enjoyment.

9. Soft 100% Whole Wheat Crescent Rolls

I had been experimenting with a soft white flour crescent roll recipe for a potluck when a brilliant thought struck me: I could simply adapt my tried-and-true 100% whole wheat dinner roll dough and shape it into delightful crescent rolls. And it worked beautifully! These rolls are wonderfully soft, delightfully pull-apart, and buttery morsels that are perfect for sharing at any gathering or enjoying at home. They offer all the comfort of traditional crescent rolls with the added nutritional benefits and hearty texture of whole wheat flour.

10. Homemade Peppermint Fudge Brownie Mix in a Jar

December always heralds the season of thoughtful jar gifts. I adore them for their simplicity in assembly, their cost-effectiveness, and the sheer joy they bring when gifted, allowing recipients to enjoy a homemade treat whenever they desire. Of all the jar mixes I prepared, the fudgy brownie mix was my absolute favorite – both with and without the festive peppermint. These brownies are, without exaggeration, some of the best I’ve ever made, striking the perfect balance between fudgy and cakey, crowned with that irresistible crinkly top. They were so good, I almost didn’t want to give them away!

All-Time Most Popular Posts: Reader Favorites Throughout the Years

Now, let’s explore the evergreen champions – the posts that have consistently captivated our readers throughout An Oregon Cottage’s 14-year history. These are ranked from #10 down to the absolute most popular recipe ever published on the site, according to Google analytics. Prepare to discover some timeless treasures that have stood the test of time!

10. Best Thick Canned Salsa Recipe

9. Addictive Tomato Chutney (Better Than Ketchup!)

8. Garlic Mint Insect Spray That Really Works!

7. 100% Whole Wheat Soft Sandwich Bread

6. Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

5. Perfectly Salted Roasted Almonds

4. Roasted Cabbage Wedges With Onion Dijon Sauce

3. Freeze Green Beans without Blanching

2. Three Ways to Freeze Corn for Year-Round Enjoyment

#1 Most Popular of All Time: Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread

We’d love to hear from you! Is your personal favorite from An Oregon Cottage featured on either of these lists? Do you agree with my top picks from 2022?

What recipes, DIYs, or gardening tips do you wish were included? Share your thoughts and help us shape the content we bring you next!