Festive Tater Tot Feast Recipes

HOTDISH (TATER TOT CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Add the beef to the onions and cook until the meat is brown, stirring and scraping the bottom of the skillet to release the yummy brown bits, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the beef and onion mixture from the skillet into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Scatter the green beans and corn evenly on top. Spread the cream of mushroom soup over top and top with frozen potato tots. Bake uncovered for 1 hour; the potato tots should be golden brown. Serve.

FESTIVE TATER TOT FEAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Grease a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• In a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook onions and ground beef until meat loses its red color. Spoon off any excess fat.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• If you like stir in chopped pimentos.
• Spread meat mixture in baking dish; cover with soup and top with single layer of frozen Tater Tots®.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly in the center.

CRUNCHY TATER TOTS FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• In a large size sauce pan or Dutch oven, place peeled potatoes with water and bring to a rapid boil un-covered, cook the potatoes until slightly fork tender, but still firm in the center, (about 15 to 20 minutes).
• Let potatoes cool completely, then grate them using a cheese grater or food mill, you can also smash them with a fork for a more lumpy texture.
• Add the flour, egg, salt and pepper and mix by gently folding until completely combined.
• Form into small 1 inch balls, and then shape them into a small size barrel shapes, (pictured).
• Place them in the freezer for about 1 hour to let them cool completely and firm up.
• Heat the oil in a large size skillet, Dutch oven or fryer to 350 degrees F. and then fry the cooled tots until golden brown on all sides, (about 2 to 3 minutes). Drain excess oil on paper towels.
• You can freeze the tots after frying. (If you are planning on freezing for a later time, don't fry tots completely golden brown, you can brown them to perfection later in the oven). Place into a freezer zip-lock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Remove from the freezer when you need them and bake on a greased cookie sheet in a 400 degree F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
• Makes about 6 dozen 1 1/2 inch tots.