Tater Tot fun in the Kitchen

November 15, 2010 Michelle Day

Tater tots, we have all had them as kids in some form, I Loved Tater Tots growing up, and must admit they still remain a quilty pleasure for me to this day. A very good friend of mine, Dave, and his nephew, Jackson, emailed me with this recipe. They made it together while having a boys night in. Thanks Guys. This recipe is easy and a lot of fun to make.

Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb. crisp bacon
1 lb. ground beef, or ground Turkey
1 tbls. olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 10 3/4 oz. cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 lb. blue cheese, or any cheese you like
1 32 oz. package tater tots
Vegetable spray

Heat oven to 375F
Cook bacon in saute pan to crisp
Crumble bacon
Pour out grease from saute pan, but do not clean
Brown ground beef in same pan
Remove and drain ground beef
In same pan, sautee onion and garlic in olive oil until soft

Combine bacon, ground beef onions, garlic, thyme, and soup in a large bowl, mix well
Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with vegetable spray
Add mixture and flatten evenly in dish
Crumble cheese over top
Top with tater tots
Bake for 1 hour

Michelle Day

Michelle Day has been cooking and baking since she was old enough to hold a whisk. Michelle is an expert cook and her passion for cooking and entertaining has never wavered. At the age of 10 Michelle’s Family started a bakery in Simsbury CT, where Michelle got her first taste of running a food service business. In 1994 Michelle moved to New York City, where, she found her true passion in baking. In 2001 she started “The Catering Divas” Catering business. Serving the Upper East Side, she catered numerous small dinner and cocktail parties. Her passion and attention to detail won her the attention of some of New York’s Elite. Back at home in Connecticut, Michelle is a well known culinary instructor and her cake decorating skills jump-started a side business — Devine Cake Designs — where clients clamor for her inspired and beautifully artistic designs. After 15 years in the culinary industry, Michelle’s love of cooking, baking and children, has lead to her to her newest career, offering personalized family cooking classes and creating a TV show, digital broadcasts and Cook Books like no other. Kids and a Cook is all about healthy, fun, and easy meals for kids and their families. Michelle credits her parents with her success and her love of food, helping to create so many memories being in the kitchen with them as a child. Her goal is to have a show to help viewers create the same memories with their families. A show for the kids, and by the kids, with the “cook” there as guidance. Michelle’s featured co-host is an energetic, precocious 9-year-old named Elisabeth. Although a finicky eater, Elisabeth still loves to cook in the kitchen and learn about ingredients and how to mix them to make tasty dishes. Come join us — as you and Elisabeth learn easy recipes and explore culinary adventures. Michelle Day is available for lectures and cooking demonstrations. Please contact us through this website.