Photo submitted to the Times Observer Marjean Hawkins, of Youngsville, can now refer to her dinner as “award-winning.” Her Lasagna Soup recipe was chosen best among this year’s submissions in the Annual Holiday Recipe Book.

When Marjean Hawkins’ phone rang Monday morning, the caller on the other end (this reporter) intended on delivering the news that her Lasagna Soup recipe was chosen as the first-place winner in this year’s Annual Holiday Recipe Book.

But the news had to wait.

Hawkins, of Youngsville, was in the middle of making homemade salsa and apologetically asked if she could call back; she “didn’t want to mess up that batch.”

It’s pertinent to point out that she was also making her award-winning soup, and chops all the tomatoes, peppers, and onions by hand.

“It’s a real workout,” she said.

Hawkins’ initial thought was that the call pertained to an upcoming event she wanted to have published. This reporter informed her that the call had to do with her soup recipe. Hawkins then said she meant to call us because, during a recent hospital stay, she worried she “forgot to list how much chicken stock the recipe called for.”

It was on the recipe — 32 ounces.

Once the vegetables were chopped and simmering, Hawkins returned the call.

Sounding a bit uncertain of why she was returning the call, the news was delivered immediately. “Oh my gosh! That’s awesome!” she reacted. “Do I have to make some now?”

She was assured she didn’t have to make any more soup. She was already in the process of putting most of the salsa and soup in Monday’s batch into jars to send to her grandchildren “all over the country.

“I send them care packages,” she said.

Any leftovers would likely be gobbled up by her boyfriend, who urged her to enter the recipe in the contest.

Hawkins discovered the soup recipe about six months ago, and tweaked it to her preferences.

“My boyfriend loves it,” she said. “Everybody we give it to loves it.”

Hawkins, 71, said she has enjoyed baking and cooking for as long as she can remember. She has been trying new recipes like salsa and soup recently as a way to eat a more heart-healthy diet. She describes her soup as robust, yet healthy and adaptable to anyone’s preferences. Sometimes she adds spinach.

“You can use more or less pasta,” she said.

As far as the $100 gift card from Warren ShurFine for her winning recipe, Hawkins couldn’t be more thrilled. “That’s so wonderful. At this time of year, that’s so wonderful,” she said. “We weren’t sure what we were planning. That will really help out.”

Winning Recipe

Lasagna Soup

Prep Time: 30 min.

Serves 8+

Ingredients:

1-1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

3 large peppers (I use green, yellow and orange)

1 clove garlic, chopped

3 Tbsp. olive oil

2-3 large cans tomatoes

32 oz. chicken stock

1 small can tomato paste

3-6 Tbsp. mixed Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp. black pepper

1/4-1/2 C uncooked shell macaroni

1/2 C parmesan cheese

1 C mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Saute chopped onion and peppers in olive oil until they are tender.

Add garlic, may use powder if don’t have fresh.

Add beef and continue cooking until meat is done.

Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning and chicken stock. Bring to a boil then simmer until shell macaroni is done.

Put in bowls and sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella on each bowl if desired.

This is a robust, yet healthy, soup and you can vary seasoning according to your tastes. I sometimes add spinach also.