Tater Tot Hotdish!

Yes, finally... here it is... Tater Tot Hotdish!



I suppose technically it's two words: Hot Dish... however when used in general conversation (i.e. "Boy, you know what this hotdish could use? Ketchup!") it's generally spoken as one word.

What is a hotdish? Well, in most parts of the country it's known as a casserole, but in Minnesota in particular, casseroles are called hotdishes. There are many kinds of hotdish, but this one seems to be a family favorite.

There are even Hot Dish cookbooks. I saw this one at the bookstore the other day:



I haven't bought it. Yet.

Hotdish is typically eaten (at least in Minnesota) with ketchup, and if it's a special occasion you can also have a side of coleslaw, a dinner roll, some relish (a plate of sweet pickles and/or dill pickles), and a slice of pie. Mmm... pie... but as our friend AB would say, "that's another episode."

Tater Tot Hotdish

Ingredients:

2lb ground beef
1 1lb package frozen mixed vegetables *see below*
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
salt and pepper to taste
12 slices of American cheese (you can skip this part, but why would you?)
1 2lb package of tater tots
seasoning salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Brown the hamburger in a skillet, and drain off the excess fat. Return the hamburger to the skillet and (with the heat off) stir in the bag of mixed veggies, 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, and salt and pepper to taste (this will require more salt than you would think given the soup has a lot of sodium, as the veggies and beef are both saltless). Place the mixture into a 9x13 glass casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Top with a layer of American cheese 3 slices across and 4 slices long (you will have to overlap them slightly, it's all good). Line up your tater tots on top all nice and pretty however you like. Sprinkle the tots with seasoning salt and pop the whole thing into the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are sizzling and brown.

*Don't get fancy with the veggies. This is not a fancy recipe. Just use the normal mixed veggies, you know, the ones with peas, carrots, corn and green beans. If you don't like mixed veggies then just use green beans, but if I did that I'd probably use canned ones and drain them well. If you choose to go the canned green bean route, make sure you mix them in gently so you don't mash them, and be prepared to use much less salt for seasoning.