Spring is a season of family and friends. It brings people together outside, creating a sense of community. As we come out of hibernation, the sounds of kids playing and neighbors taking evening walks fill the air. In this season of new beginnings, some might be looking for a hobby to stay entertained. To help you out, I’ve asked teachers from LHS to share their favorite family recipes. So, get ready to cook up some delicious dishes!

Mom Sig’s Cheese Dip (Mrs. Paskey)

Every get-together needs a good snack, and this dip is a must-have! According to Mrs. Paskey, “It is at every one of our family gatherings. It isn’t a Sigurslid family gathering without cheese dip!” So, make sure to add this recipe to your list for the next gathering. It’s both familiar and delightful, perfect for any occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make. Just be mindful if you’re lactose intolerant.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (in a tub)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1.5 tsp garlic Salt

Steps:

1. Soften the cheddar cheese and cream cheese to room temperature.
2. Blend all ingredients together and chill.
3. Serve with crackers or pretzels.

Grandma Larson’s Chicken and Noodles (Mrs. Barlow)

Mrs. Barlow, known for sharing stories about her family in her classes, provided us with a cherished family recipe. Her Grandma Larson has been making this dish for years, and Mrs. Barlow said, “I think she came up with it back in the 1960s when microwaves were a new invention.” She shared a heartwarming memory of her grandma making this recipe for her: “Back in 2010, I was really sick and living by myself while in college. My lovely grandma drove an hour to see me and made this for me so I had food to eat while sick. I was feeling kind of lonely because it was my first time living solo, and I was really sick and didn’t have anyone to take care of me (not to be too dramatic), so the fact she came down for a weekend and made this really stuck with me.”

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 8 oz. of egg noodles
• 4  tbsp of butter
• 4 tbsp finely chopped onion
• 4 tbsp of flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 2 cups of chopped, cooked chicken

Steps:

1. Bring water to a boil and cook 8 oz. of egg noodles. While noodles are cooking, proceed with the following steps.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 tbsp of butter with 4 tbsp of finely chopped onion.
3. After melting, add 4 tbsp of flour and microwave for 15 seconds.
4. Add 2 cups chicken broth and microwave until moderately thick (microwave time may vary).
5. Stir to ensure everything is well mixed.
6. Mix in 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic salt, and 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken.
7. Combine with cooked noodles and enjoy!
8. (Optional: Grandma Larson sometimes likes to add more chicken and mushrooms to dress it up a bit.)

Mrs. Anderson’s Chicken Devon (Mr. Anderson)

Easy and tasty homemade meals are THE BEST, especially when they hold special family memories. According to Mr. Anderson, his mom’s Chicken Devon is “definitely a family favorite.” She makes it every time his sister comes back from Washington. What are the staple meals in your family?

Ingredients:

• 1 – 10oz bag of microwavable broccoli
• 1 ½ lb cooked chicken breast (cut up, skin removed)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup mayonaise 
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• ¼ tsp curry powder
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup bread crumbs or croutons
• ½ tbsp melted butter

Steps:

1. Cook the broccoli according to the instructions on the bag.
2. Arrange the cooked broccoli in an 8×8 pan.
3. Add the cut-up chicken on top of the broccoli.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, lemon juice, and curry powder until smooth.
5. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
7. Combine bread crumbs with melted butter.
8. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Mrs. Jelinek’s Apple Crisp

Mrs. Jelinek is known for creating a cozy and comfortable environment. While you may not understand Romeo and Juliet or don’t want to read Frankenstein over the summer (ooh self burn), you can’t deny that everything about her feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer on a rainy day. So it’s absolutely no surprise that she shared a recipe that embodies warmth and nostalgia. She said, “Even though I’ve had the ingredients memorized for years, I pull this out when I make apple crisp because I like to be reminded of elementary school and my grandma.” I think we all love a generational meal that reminds us of home. 

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 4 cups sliced apples
• 1 cup flour
• 1 ½ cups raw oats
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 stick of butter
• Raisins (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Grease a shallow baking dish and place the sliced apples in it.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
4. Melt the butter and add it to the dry mixture, mixing well.
5. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the apples.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy your warm and comforting apple crisp!