Category: Tater Tots

It’s National Tater Day – Can you Dig It?

As many of you know, I write a lot of my posts weeks or even months in advance of actually posting. That means when I say “last night” while it may been last night as far as writing is concerned, the reality could be weeks ago as far as posting is concerned. Take today’s post for example. It’s mid February as far as real time is concerned, but it will be the end of March before posting. Why? In the case of this recipe, the last day of March is National Tater Day. I spend the better part of any afternoon reading recipes for Taters. Could be mashed, or baked or fried. What I was craving were cheesy, spicy taters. Hubby is a big fan of Tater-Tots. It’s only in the last year that I have come to embrace the Tater-Tot in the same way he does.

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Cajun Spice Tater Tots

Can we talk Tater-Tots? As I’m sure you know by now, today is National Tater-Tot Day. In San Francisco, there is an actual Tater Tot Festival, small though it may be. While many of us cannot hop in a car, bus, boat or plane and head on over to the City by the Bay for some delicious Tater Tots, we can indulge at home. When Hubby and I first married, one of his favorite foods were tater tots. I gotta tell you, I turned up my nose. After all these years of marriage, the little pressed nuggets of spuds has grown on me. I especially like tater tots that have been well seasoned.

Continue reading “Cajun Spice Tater Tots”

Celebrate National Tater-Tot Day with a Savory Tater-Tot Casserole

I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes planning out meals for the week is hard. This is especially turn when I don’t feel like cooking anything. At least not at the moment. There are two times when planning can be dangerous. Moments like this, when I’d rather eat out (that gets expensive) and moments when I can feel those creative, gourmet juices flowing (even more expensive!). At times like this, I look to see what the National Calendar says we should be eating. Today is Ground Hog Day, Heavenly Hash Day and Tater-Tot Day. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you are allowed to eat ground hogs. I’m not even sure why anyone would if given choices.

Hash would have been nice, except my guys are working and breakfast on a work-day morning is very rare indeed. I am up early enough to make breakfast. On Saturdays when the guys are scheduled to work, they would rather sleep until the very last moment and then dash out the door. Can’t say as I blame them.

That leaves me with Tater-Tot Day. I had been wanting to try this recipe, so National Tater-Tot day was the perfect excuse.

Savory Tater-Tot Casserole
1 small Onion, chopped
8 oz Cremini Mushrooms
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 pound Ground Beef
2 tablespoons Butter
12 oz Green Giant Steamers Whole Green Beans
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons Flour
2/3 Cup Beef Stock
1 cup Milk
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
1 package {32 ounces} Frozen Tater Tots
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, for garnish
1/4 Cup Italian Parsley, for garnish

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Peel and chop onion, set aside. Rinse and slice mushrooms, set aside

In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking meat into smaller pieces as it brown. Once cooked, transfer to a bowl and set aside.

While the meat is browning, poke holes in the Green Bean bag and steam in the microwave for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and let cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces to add to onions once cooled

Add butter, onions and mushrooms to the now empty skillet. Saute over medium heat until tender and browned, about 3 minutes.

Add chopped green beans to the onion mixture. Stir to combine.

Add garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and flour to the skillet, stir to combine. Add chicken stock and milk, stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper about 1/2 teaspoon each, based on taste preference.

Turn heat off and add cooked ground beef. Stir to combine. Top the mixture with cheese. Arrange frozen tater tots on top.

Bake in heated oven for 30-35 minutes until tater tots are golden brown.

Remove from oven. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and chopped parsley. Serve straight from the skillet.

Original Recipe: Dash of Savory