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Comfort Food

First full day of 2 kids. The night was rather easy... little Colin slept from 1.30am to 5.30am. However the day was a little less scheduled. Soph seems to be getting into a pattern, but Colie is not quite as predictable.

However, at 8.30pm both kids were asleep and only one dish could cool us down.... Tater-Tot Casserole. This recipe came from an Iowa aunt, via my close friend, Paul H. (with props to his big brother Larry). The recipe can be varied according to taste.

Larry H.'s Aunt's Tater-Tot Casserole
1lb. ground beef
1lb. ground pork (or any sausage)
2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
Tater-Tots
Cheese (monterey jack is standard, but feel free to spice it up)

Preheat oven to 375. Brown meat in a saucepan then combine with the cream of mushroom soup in a pyrex casserole dish. Layer Tater-tots on top (if you're anal like me, you'll do it in a pattern). Bake for 45 minutes. Add cheese on top, and bake 10 more mins. Let cool 10 mins. and serve (ketchup is allowed as a side). Optional additions: onions, red pepper, whatever makes sense to you.

This dish has memories behind it. Corbett has partaken upon some of his San Francisco visits when he was recording at Fantasy. My father, about a year after heart surgery, enjoyed it when mom was out of town, and Conor and I thought he needed a break from the health food. And then there were the countless times creating different iterations with Paul. Mmm, mmmm, good.

Posted by christofu at June 21, 2004 10:23 PM