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 Denise Gianatasio is a Northport Village resident and freelance writer. She is a licensed agent at Signature Premier Properties, 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. |
| Come in and heat up your winter, your home, family and friends with a delicious, easy to make Minnesota hot dish. My beautiful daughter in law Kate, was born and raised in Minnesota. She lovingly describes this dish as the true Minnesota staple there and throughout the Midwest Region of the U.S. The simple Hot Dishes that I have learned about from Kate, her Mom, Dad, and Nana Sue, has inspired me to learn more about their area cuisine and make closer family connections. It also helped to diversify my own palate~ I am sure glad Nana Sue sent us the authentic Minnesota wild rice and the recipe. Absolutely delicious and nutty tasting. This dish is so easy to create any way that suits your fancy or the findings in your fridge. I’ve been told by Kate’s mom, “Mi Ma Cleone “and “Nana Sue” that the Hot Dish is a variety of casserole which typically contain a starch, a meat, or other protein and a canned vegetable mixed with a canned soup. Hot dish is cooked and served in a single baking dish and commonly appears at communal gatherings, family reunions and originally had its origins at church suppers. Hot dishes are tummy filling, convenient and easy to prepare. The history of the hot dish goes back to the budget minded farm wives that needed to feed their families as well as their church congregations. The most typical to appear at these basement church suppers was ground beef, and cream of mushroom soup, later on pasta and tater tots appeared. The local wild rice is the most popular. The cream of mushroom soup in the dish is oftened referred to as the “Lutheran Binder” referring to Hot Dish’s position as the staple of Lutheran church cookbooks. I am a bit reluctant though I must say to try Minnesota’s stereotypical lutefisk??? NO! For now I’ll stick to the yummy comfort ~ cuisine of Minnesota’s Hot Dish. I will say it was helpful that my “book club ladies” chose “Kitchens of the Great Midwest”, an awesome novel by J. Ryan Stradal. My book club consists of about 12 of my dear co ~workers, we are all realtors…We all gathered with dishes from the Midwest and enjoyed the tasty discoveries and of course, the book. You see we don’t just sell houses ~ we reach down deep into them and learn about the traditions that live inside! We laugh, read, share stories and cultures, stretch our palates to new heights, drink wine, and yes… we enjoy our food. Stay Warm! xoxo Dishin’ with Denise |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 