Dishin’ With Denise… “Hot”… to “Tot”!!!

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Denise Gianatasio is a Northport Village resident and freelance writer. She is a licenced agent at Signature Premier Properties, Gold Circle of Excellence, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to inspire a warm sense of home with her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

For the love of a Minnesota “Hot Dish” on a chilly cold night! The hot dish is a casserole that typically contains a starch, (here’s where the beloved tater~ tot comes in) a meat, frozen veggies and cream of mushroom soup. My warm and loving daughter in law really gets her kiddies excited when she plans this casserole for my grandchildren and shares her warm and fond memories of home. Most popular and loved in Minnesota this meal is easily prepared in a single baking dish and served hot (as per its name). This dish appears at family reunions, potluck dinners, and frequently at church suppers in the mid-west area, a true staple and comfort food. At home it is soul satisfying and convenient to put together. Keep this dish in mind for a stress free meal during a busy schedule or incorporate into your Sunday game day.  Get back that gooey, chewy, creamy, delectable taste of Youth! Make this soon and stay warm…as for me I’m “Hot to TROT” ~ SOUTH to warmth!   Xoxo Denise

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large Vidalia onion
1 ½ lbs. 80 percent lean ground beef
3 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 10 ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup (use more – for extra creaminess)
1 package of cooked frozen tater tots
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add oil to skillet on medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft and golden, (approx. 15 minutes) Add the ground beef and cook till browned stirring and scraping bottom of pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer mixture to 9 x 13 baking dish and scatter frozen veggies over mixture evenly. Spread the soup over that and top with frozen tater tots Sprinkle on shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, Nuggets will be browned and golden. Serve hot and wait for the sweet warm accolades!