Smothered Taters Food

SMOTHERED POTATO TOT NACHOS

Steps:

• Arrange the potato tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Bake according to package instructions. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the potato tots to a large platter, stacking them no more than two high. Pour the Perfect Cheese Sauce over the tots. Garnish with the tomatoes, jalapenos, scallions, cilantro and avocado. Sprinkle with the lettuce and bacon, if using.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
• Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.

SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter plus 2 tablespoons oil in each of 2 skillets over medium heat.
• Put the onion and pepper slices in one skillet and cook until browned and caramelized, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the seasoned salt, lemon pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and 1/2 cup of the flour in a pie plate. Dredge the pork chops in the flour mixture.
• Fry the chops in batches in the other skillet until well browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chops from the skillet and set aside.
• To this skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons flour. Stir and cook until the roux gets some color on it, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the stock a bit at a time, working out all the lumps, then add the cream. Add the onions and peppers, coating them in the sauce.
• Serve with plenty of sauce and the caramelized onions/peppers and accompany with the Smashed Red Potatoes.
• Put the potatoes in a glass or microwavable bowl and microwave according to the manufacturer's instructions, 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and smash the potatoes with a fork. Add the butter, salt and pepper, then smash again. Cover with a towel until ready to serve.

LOADED TATER TOTS®

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Arrange potato nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and chop coarsely.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add shallot and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook until light golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and 2 tablespoons sour cream; stir until smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. Season with black pepper and nutmeg. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese until fully melted.
• Transfer potatoes to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle bacon on top. Pour cheese sauce over the potatoes. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven just until cheese melts, about 7 minutes. Remove from the oven; top with green onions and 2 tablespoons sour cream.

MINI LOADED TATER TOTS® APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450ºF.
• Place 2 TATER TOTS in each of 24 mini muffin pan cups sprayed with cooking spray; place on bottom oven rack. Bake 10 min.
• Spray bottom of shot glass with cooking spray. Use (in twisting motion) to press TATER TOTS in each muffin cup to make potato cup. Return to oven; bake additional 15 min. or until deep golden brown.
• Add cheese to potato cups; bake 1 min. or until melted. Transfer to platter; fill with remaining ingredients.

SMOTHERED TATERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Scrub potatoes and clean then up.
• Stab them all over with a fork. If you want soft skins than you need to rub the outside with butter and then wrap in foil.
• Place potatoes in a metal bake sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 70 to 80 minutes or until tender. *Hint* Some Microwaves have settings that make baked potatoes but do not cover them in foil.
• Start preparing the next part of the meal when the potatoes have about 30 minutes left.
• In a bowl you need to add 8 ounces of sour cream and 1/2 cup of flour.
• Place the bouillon granules on the chopping board. Use a clever turned side ways to press the granules flat. This should make them like a powder.
• Add the bouillon powder, 1/2 cup of water, and some pepper in to the bowl and stir.
• Once you have the mixture stirred you can set it aside.
• In a skillet put two tablespoon of butter, one tablespoon of minced garlic, mushrooms, and your desired amount of onions.
• Cook over medium heat until the mushrooms cook down to your liking.
• Add the flour mixture to the skillet.
• Add the desired amount of salt pepper and Italian Seasoning.
• Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
• Cut the cooked potatoes in half, mash the insides up a little, pour the sauce over the top, and Enjoy!

CHEESY BACON, HAM, AND SWISS TATER TOTS® POUTINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place potato nuggets on a baking sheet in an even layer and bake until lightly browned and crisp, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and top with gravy, diced ham, Swiss cheese, and Cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Top with crumbled bacon and chives. Scatter cheese curds around and serve immediately.

MICHAEL'S GRANNY'S SOUR CREAM TATERS

Steps:

• Mix the package of Original Ranch mix into the sour cream. (If this is made a day ahead, it gets even better!).
• Wash the potatoes, and cut them into halves if they are very large new potatoes.
• Boil the potatoes in salted water, until soft (about 10-15 minutes).
• When potatoes are soft, drain them in a colander.
• Put the potatoes back in the pot after draining, add the butter, the evaporated milk, salt and pepper to your taste, and stir together.
• Add in the sour cream mixture, and the chopped green onions.
• Cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Heat over a medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until all is hot again.
• Serve.

LOADED SMASHED TATERS

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until tender., Drain; return to pan. Lightly mash potatoes, gradually adding milk, cream cheese and butter to reach desired consistency. Stir in bacon, cheeses, green onions, tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper.

SMOTHERED PIZZA TATERS #SP5

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray an oven pan, place full bag of potatoes on pan, cook 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until they start to brown.
• Once cooked, form a pile of potatoes in the middle of the pan.
• Add 1/3 of the cheese to top of potatoes.
• Add pizza sauce on top of cheese.
• Add remaining 2/3 cheese.
• Top with pepperoni and sausage.
• Cook in oven for 15 minutes, until cheese starts to brown.
• Grab some forks and share this delicious combination!

SMOKED TATERS

Steps:

• Fire up your smoker and do your normal smoking of what ever your main course is.
• 45 minutes before your entree is done, place the potatoes on a wire rack that has been brushed with oil. Be sure they are in a single layer.
• Put the rack in the smoker alongside the entree.
• When your main is done, the potatoes will have a light, earthy smoke flavor and should be cooked through.
• How done you want them is a judgment call on your part. It's according to taste. Same thing goes for the amount of smoke you put on the vegetables.