What a Lazy Tater Day

Oh my – where did the time go? Can this really be the last day of March? I don’t know whether to say time flies when we’re having fun or the days seem to quicken the older we get. I suppose both could be true.

Before the pandemic of 2020 San Francisco’s Haight District held a Tater Tot Festival. We put it on our schedule – sounded like a crazy good time. Unfortunately, the pandemic canceled events up and down the state. I don’t know if they ever brought back the festival. It really doesn’t matter. Cities like San Francisco are no longer safe. I’m not sure if crime has finally leveled off or if the news has simply stopped reporting an epidemic of senseless assaults. A quick glance at the SF Police Crime Blotter for a 24 hour period showed 31 assaults, 12 auto thefts and 218 general crimes (whatever that is). All I know is that Hubby and I have avoided big cities coming up on five years now. I do miss the art galleries, museums and five star dining that only a metropolitan district can provide.

Well, that was a fun little unplanned rant. Tater Day – that’s what today is suppose to be about. So let’s get this train back on its tracks. National Tater Day makes me think of Tater Tots. As good as a processed nugget of potato might be, one cannot live on Tater Tots alone. Not when you can have Curly Fries with Sourdough Grilled Ham and Cheese!

Sourdough Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
6 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese (Green Can stuff)
6 slices Extra Sourdough Bread
6 slices Monterey Jack Cheese
9 oz shaved Smoked Ham
Butter as needed

In a bowl mix mayonnaise, garlic powder and powdered Parmesan Cheese. Set aside.

On a cutting board lay out sourdough bread. Top three slices of bread with the Monterey Jack, overlapping as necessary to cover completely. Divide ham evenly, draping ham over the cheese to cover completely. Close sandwich with remaining slices of sourdough bread. Set aside.

Warm a griddle pan to medium heat. Coat pan with a little butter.

Brush about a tablespoon of the mayonnaise mixture on top of each sandwich. Place sandwiches on the griddle mayo-side down. Brush tops with remaining mayo mixture. Cover griddle with a rimmed sheet pan to hold in the heat. Grill until the bread is golden. Uncover, flip and continue to grill, covered, until the other side is golden and the cheese has melted.

Remove from griddle, slice in half and serve with Curly Fries

Oven Baked Curly Fries
Cooking Spray
12 oz frozen Curly Fries
Salt to taste

If you have one, spray a copper oven-fry basket with cooking spray. If not, place a wire baking rack inside a rimmed baking sheet to allow hot air to circulate the fries. Heat oven according to package directions.

Spread curly fries out in a single layer on the prepared rack. Bake in the oven for about 18 minutes, shaking fries at the midway point. Shut oven off; leaving the fries to “crisp” in the warmth of the oven for another 2 or 3 minutes.

Season with salt just before serving.

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O LORD, You brought me up from the nether world;
You preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
I will praise you, Lord, for You have rescued me.