This week we all celebrated Halloween together at the Torak’s, after all— it just so happened to fall on a Tuesday night and seemed like the perfect end-cap to our coveted Soups & Spooks tradition. Dominic & Haley came bearing their share of candy and a Tater Tot Casserole to pop in the oven.
This dish has been a classic of Dom’s ever since he was inspired by a recipe in a cookbook he bought for Haley one Christmas called Home is Where the Eggs Are. The gist is essentially a casserole topped with tater tots. It’s the most comforting bowl of mish-mash you’ll ever eat, especially on a cozy, spooky Halloween evening spent with friends. It’s quick and easy and can even be made ahead of time (except for the tots) and then popped in the oven on a moment’s notice for a no fuss meal you can toss in the oven and forget about until it’s time to eat.
Another fun aspect to the dish is how versatile it is. Think of it like a quiche or any other casserole and play around with flavor combinations. You could even get crazy and tinker the recipe to be a breakfast casserole.
While we all love to host and have dinner with friends, we must acknowledge the real life around us and sometimes we just can’t do it all (except Gilly, our resident bread-maker, who somehow does in fact do it all, always keeping her friends’ bellies full of her delicious homemade sourdough, to which we are so grateful). This recipe is great for those times when you can’t pull out all the stops, but still want to put something fun and tasty on the table. You can make it ahead of time if need be, plus it’s kid-friendly and husband approved.
We began the evening with It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and enjoyed some nibbles of candy in between doorbell rings from trick-or-treaters. It was a lovely Autumn evening spent in good company and good food.
With the holiday season briskly upon us, now’s as good a time as ever to host your very own dinner with friends. If a weekly commitment is too much for you, use a festive occasion as an excuse to get your feet wet. Our time is precious, and so it’s important to spend it with people who feel like home. Use the holiday season to deepen your relationships and embrace new traditions.
We’ve been gathering together for weekly dinners for 3 years now and haven’t looked back. Sure, things get in the way sometimes, but it’s a part of our week we all look forward to and cherish the couple hours on a weeknight spent with genuine people, sharing recipes and making memories to last a lifetime.
Mexican Tot Casserole
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
Chili powder, Paprika, Cumin, Cayenne, Salt & pepper
1/2 can corn*
1/2 can diced tomatoes*
1/2 can black beans*
4 tbsp butter, divided
1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 can diced green chiles
1 bag of Mexican cheese
1 bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
To make now
Preheat the oven to 450.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add 2 tbsp butter. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the ground beef and spices. Cook until browned. Add in the corn, tomatoes, green chiles and black beans and continue cooking for a few minutes. Set aside in a casserole dish.
Wipe the skillet clean and return to medium heat. Melt the remaining butter, then add the flour, stirring slowly to create a thick paste. Stir as it cooks for a few minutes. Slowly add in the chicken stock in about 3–4 batches while continuously whisking, allowing to thicken before adding more stock. Once the mixture has thickened, add in the heavy cream and let simmer for a few minutes. Empty the mixture into the casserole dish and stir to combine well.
Top with the cheese and tots, in a creative design if you fancy.
Bake for at least 40 minutes or until the tots are crispy and golden brown.
To make ahead
Following steps above, stop after adding the mixture to the casserole dish. Cover and place in the fridge or freezer. When ready to cook, top with cheese and tots. From freezer— cover with foil and cook at 350 for an hour, then uncover and cook at 450 for 40 minutes. From fridge— cook for an hour at 450. Ensure it is cooked through before serving.