Tennessee Lasagna By Dinah Shore Recipes

TENNESSEE LASAGNA BY DINAH SHORE

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni as directed on package.
• For Sauce:.
• Brown onion and garlic in oil; add celery and green pepper. Cook until softened. Remove from pan.
• Add ground beef to pan and brown well. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, pinch oregano, mushrooms, and then onion mixture. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Add tomatoes and tomato sauce.
• Simmer low for 1 hour, or until sauce blends.
• In a large casserole dish, assemble by putting a layer of cooked macaroni; dot with butter, add 1/2 of cheese cubes, and then layer of sauce. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Then add another layer of macaroni, butter and cheese cubes.
• Finish with a layer of sauce;top with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted inside and dish is thoroughly heated.
• This can be prepared ahead.

DINAH SHORE'S MOTHER'S SOUTHERN BELLE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Marinate the cooked,cubed chicken breasts in the French dressing in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours, then drain and discard the French dressing.
• Combine the cubed chicken, celery, bell peppers, grated onion, chopped boiled eggs, salt and pepper in a large salad serving bowl.
• Stir gently, but mix well.
• In another bowl combine the mayonnaise, whipped cream, pecans, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce and drained capers, mixing well.
• Add the dressing to the salad and stir gently to mix well.
• Serve as soon as thoroughly chilled--usually about 20 min.
• If you want to make this ahead of time, don't add the dressing as the whipped cream will tend to go flat.
• Mix the dressing up and add just before serving.

SPINACH LASAGNA WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. If using fresh spinach, chop it fine. If using frozen, chopped spinach, make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and squeeze out all of the excess water.
• Place the ricotta or cottage cheese in a large bowl. Stir in the spinach, pesto, garlic, salt, pepper, half the Parmesan, and the walnuts. Mix well. Spread half the tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan. Place a layer of uncooked noodles over the sauce. Spoon about 1/3 of the ricotta or cottage filling in dabs over the noodles (you can spread it a little, but not too much) and sprinkle with 1/3 of the grated mozzarella. Follow with another layer of sauce, then noodles, followed by another 1/3 of the filling, and another 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat one more time, and then finish up with a final layer of noodles. You will have some Parmesan left over.
• If you are using fresh noodles, bake uncovered. If you are using dried noodles, cover the pan tightly with foil.
• Bake for 50 minutes, uncovering the pan (if applicable) during the last 15 minutes, during which time you can sprinkle on the reserved Parmesan. (In the case of the uncovered pan, if the top of the lasagna becomes as brown as you like it before the full baking time is up, cover loosely with foil and continue baking, so it wont get too dark.) Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
• Walnut Pesto: Place the basil leaves and garlic in a food processor or blender, and mix well.
• Add the walnuts, and continue to blend until the walnuts are finely ground.
• Keep the machine running as you drizzle in the olive oil. When you have a smooth paste, transfer to a bowl, and stir in the Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• If you are not going to use the pesto right away, place in a container that has a tight-fitting lid. Smooth out the top surface of the pesto, and pour on enough olive oil to cover it completely. This creates an air-proof seal that helps preserve it well. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.