Allright, yawl. Dr. Ding has been menaced lo these many days hence by the grippe. The ague. The catarrh. The only things left in the attic are toys and mucus. So, let me share with you something that always makes my spirits brighter. Tater Tot Casserole.
Tater Tot Casserole a la Ding
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 to 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cans green beans, drained (can substitute corn)
- 1 bag Ore-Ida Tater Tots (can use generic)
- Optional: 2 c. shredded cheddar, American, or Velveeta cheese
Saute the onion, garlic and ground beef. Drain. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add soup in, stir. Pour mixture into 13×9 in. pan, spread green beans evenly atop. With a flourish, dump Tots on top. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes at 350, or until Tots start to turn a rich, golden brown. Stare lovingly at what you’ve wrought. Add cheese and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese bubbles delectably. Remove from oven, allow to sit for 2-3 minutes before tearing into it like a wild, starving animal.
Ok this is porn lite…in order to be true food porn we need to see an cross section slice of that bad boy!
I feel so deprived…I have never had tater tot casserole. What can I say..portuguese household…I had things like tripe and other assorted organs. I did get to have red wine at a very early age though so that counts for something.
And while I’ve never had this glorious, cheesy processed goodness…I know that it must be nothing short of comforgasm.
Just when I think I’m getting over my childhood, someone brings up Tater Tots. What’s next? Fish sticks?
JeAnne: Mwhahaha! I knew I would end up titillating some of you by not showing the cross-sectional shot!
Are the Portuguese related to Luxembourgers by any chance? We ate stuff like blood sausage and gelatinized pig feet. I’m throwing up a little in my mouth as I write this. But we got to drink wine in Kindergarten, so it’s all good.
Comfortgasm…this is a new word to add to my vocabulary, with your permission!
The Tater Tot Casserole can actually be made w/low-fat beef, fewer tots, and 2% fat cheese, plus low-soduim, lowfat soup, but….meh. It just isn’t as good as the full-carb, full-fat version, imho.
Rhea:
Check http://www.askdrding.com/2007/12/03/mommas-lemon-cake-mix-cookies/ for the fish sticks commentary! 🙂 I got it covered.
Maybe next I should write about fried bologna?
p.s. LOVE your blog!!!
First of all I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I’d like
to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center
yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing. I have
had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.
I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted
simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
Thanks!
I’ll have a blog post up shortly to respond. Thanks for your interest!