Margene's Lasagna

Margene's Lasagna

1 lb. hamburger, browned
1 16-oz. jar Prego spaghetti sauce (I use the fresh mushroom)
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. minced garlic


Mix all together.

1 16-oz. container cottage cheese, small curd
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated
8 oz. med. cheddar cheese, grated

8 oz. pkg. lasagna noodles--cook as directed on package

Put in either a 9x13 or 2-square pans (line one with foil and freeze for another day)

Put a little sauce in the bottom of the pan, so the noodles won't stick.

Then layer 2 times, in this order:
     noodles
     meat sauce
     cottage cheese
     cheddar cheese
     mozzarella cheese

Heat in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese bubbles.

Aimee's note:  I have substituted ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese in this recipe, and it turned out great!

Margene's Special Shrimp Salad

This is the salad Mom would always make when we had fancy dinners... you remember, the ones with round steak for the kids.  ;)

Margene's Special Shrimp Salad

2 c. cooked sm. shell macaroni
2 Tbsp. diced onion 
1.5 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. red pimento (optional - I never had any to add to the salad)
1 sm. can shrimp
3-4 shredded carrots
salt & pepper

Dressing:
2/3 c. Miracle Whip
1 tsp. mustard
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Mix altogether and chill.

Margene's Famous Potato Salad

This is mom's recipe as she gave it... this variation of the recipe has some ratios and other details in it.

Margene's Famous Potato Salad

Potatoes

Celery
Cucumber
Dill Pickle
Green Onion
Miracle Whip
Mustard
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Paprika

Boil some potatoes, then peel and dice.
Add chopped: celery, cucumber, dill pickle, green onion
Mix with Miracle Whip and mustard.
When well mixed, add chopped egg.
Garnish with a sliced egg and paprika sprinkled on top.
Chill.

Instant Pot version here.

Texas Chocolate Cupcakes

Think Texas Sheet Cake... with caramel icing on top... in a CUPCAKE!  Mmmmm....
(I originally found this delicious recipe here.)

Texas Chocolate Cupcakes

CUPCAKES:
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1 c. water
1 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. butter, cubed
2 eggs
1/3 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

CARAMEL ICING:
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, cubed
1/4 c. milk
2 - 2 1/4 c. confectioners' sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring cocoa, water, oil and butter to a boil.
Gradually add to dry ingredients; mix well.
Combine eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; gradually add to batter and mix well (batter will be very thin).
Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

For icing, in a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and milk.
Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
Increase heat to medium. Do not stir. Cook for 3-6 minutes or until bubbles form in center of mixture and syrup turns amber.
Remove from the heat; transfer to a small mixing bowl. Cool to room temperature.
Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar.
Spread over cupcakes.

Makes 2 dozen.

Margene's Chicken Pineapple Cheese Supreme

Yeah, the name is obnoxious, but this dish is divine!  :)


Margene's Chicken Pineapple Cheese Supreme

1 9-oz. pkg. frozen broccoli spears
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
2 Tbsp. margarine/butter
1 8-oz. can pineapple slices, drained
4 oz. (4 slices) Monterey Jack cheese

Cook broccoli as directed on package.
Meanwhile, place 1 chicken breast half, boned side up, between 2 pices of plastic wrap or waxed paper.  Working from center, gently pound chicken with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4" thick; remove wrap.  Repeat with remaining chicken breast halves.
In shallow pan, combine flour, salt, and pepper.  Coat chicken with flour mixture.
Melt margarine/butter in large skillet.  Add chicken; cook 5-6 minutes on each side, or until chicken is fork tender and juices run clear.
Place pineapple slice on each chicken breast half.  Drain broccoli; top each pineapple slice with 1/4 of broccoli spears and 1 cheese slice.  Cover; cook an additional minute or until cheese is melted.

Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip

This one is Kristen's personal favorite!

Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip

8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
16 oz. strawberry yogurt
1 c. fresh strawberries, mashed
fresh fruit

Combine Cool Whip with strawberry yogurt.
Add fresh strawberries, and mix well.
Serve as dip with fresh fruit.

Makes 5 c.

Margene's Snickerdoodles

I've tried other recipes over the years, and these are by far my favorite.  Guaranteed to make your mouth water!

Margene's Snickerdoodles

1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix shortening, butter, 1 1/2 c. sugar, and eggs thoroughly.
Measure flour by sifting.
Blend flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
Stir into shortening mixture.
Shape dough into 1" balls.
Mix together 2 Tbsp. sugar and cinnamon.
Roll dough balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 7-8 minutes.

Makes 6 dozen.

Orange Julius

Just like the ones at the mall!

Orange Julius

1 sm. can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 sm. can water
1 sm. can milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. sugar
1 tray ice cubes (12)

Blend until smooth!

Russian Refresher (Mormon Tea)

This is a powdered hot-drink mix... easy to make, nice to have on hand.
Back in Houston days, this recipe was Kim Dein's.



Russian Refresher (Mormon Tea)

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2 c. Tang
3 oz. presweetened lemonade mix
1 1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Mix all together and store in an airtight container.

To make:  Add 3 tsp. to cup or mug of hot water.

Homemade Lemonade

This'll taste better than the powdered stuff... promise!

Homemade Lemonade

1 c. sugar
5 c. cold water
1 c. lemon juice

Dissolve sugar in 1 c. of water and lemon juice.
Add remaining cold water.
Serve over ice.

Makes 6.5 cups

Margene's Banana Bread

Margene's Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
3 large, overripe bananas
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter, sugar, and salt together.
Add in eggs and bananas.
Mix in flour and baking soda.
Grease and flour loaf pan(s).
Bake at 375 degrees for:
    1 large pan - 1 hour
    2 medium pans - 40-45 minutes
    3 small pans - 30-35 minutes
Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean.

Texas Sheet Cake

Homemade chocolate heaven... an easy classic.

Texas Sheet Cake

CAKE
2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 c. butter
1 c. water
1/4 c. cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven at 375 degrees.
Grease cookie sheet / jelly roll pan.
Mix sugar & flour.
Bring to boil the butter, cocoa, and water.
Pour hot mixture over sugar and flour; and mix well.
Add soda, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla; and mix well.
Pour into greased cookie sheet.
Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees.
Cool in pan about 15 minutes.


FROSTING
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. cocoa
5-6 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box powdered sugar (about 3.75 c.)
1 c. chopped nuts

Mix together butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
Cool slightly.
Add vanilla, sugar, and nuts; mix well.
Frost the cake!