Kara's Texas Sheet Cake

Kara asked me to make this for her birthday.  This recipe came from Justin's Grandpa, Willie Joe  Thompson.  It is an old recipe and a Hugo family favorite.  Then I realized.....it is the same recipe I got from my roommate at college...and Connie got the same recipe from her sister when she lived in Georgia......the best Texas Sheet Cake recipe ever.  

Kara's Texas Sheet Cake  (the Thompson family calls it, Willie Joe's Chocolate Cake)  
Sift together and set aside.
2 c. sugar

2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

Bring to boil in saucepan and then add to dry ingredients.

1 c. water

1 cube margarine

1/2 c. cooking oil

4 T. cocoa

Mix and add to Chocolate batter.

1/2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs slightly beaten

1 t. vanilla

Pour into greased and floured oblong pan.  (I used a sprayed cookie sheet)

Bake 20 minutes at 400 degree oven.

When cake is about done mix icing.

Melt and bring to boil in saucepan. 

1 cube margarine

4 T. cocoa

6 T. milk

Add to 1 box of powdered sugar (about 4 1/2 c.)

Add..

1 t. vanilla

1/4 c. chopped nuts (if desired)

Mix well and pour over cake.  Cool cake 5 minutes before icing.  

Karla's Pasta Salad

Karla's Pasta Salad
Small Batch (4 servings)
1 c. macaroni pasta
Cover with water and sprinkle in some granulated garlic.  
Cook in the instant pot for 4 minutes on high with quick release.  Drain and rinse.  Set aside.

Dressing:

Stir together

1/3 c. mayonnaise

1 T. white vinegar

1 t. sugar

1 t. . mustard

1/4 t. granulated garlic

1/4 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

Vegetables:
1-2 T. snipped chives

1/4 c. diced celery

1/4 c. diced carrots

1/2 c. diced cucumber

Stir together the pasta, dressing and vegetables.  Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Big Batch (12 servings)

3 c. macaroni

Cover with water and sprinkle in some granulated garlic.  
Cook in the instant pot for 4 minutes on high with quick release.  Drain and rinse.  

Dressing:

Stir together.

1 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. white vinegar

1 T. sugar

1 T. mustard

3/4 t. granulated garlic

3/4 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Vegetables:

4-6 T. snipped chives

3/4 c. diced celery

3/4 c. diced carrots

1 1/2 c. diced cucumber

Stir together the pasta, dressing and vegetables.  Chill for 2 hours before serving.