Tater Tot Pie

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion 

1 Tbs butter

1 bag tater tots

1 large can 

I chopped the only onion I had, sauteed it in a little butter, then added the now defrosted hamburger, seasoned with some garlic salt and pepper, and browned it up like I was making taco meat.

While the burger was browning, I took to the task of spraying a 9x13 cake pan with non stick spray. Then I stood each of those cute little tater tots on end and lined that pan all sorts of orderly.  And pretty.

When the burger was done, I drained the excess grease and added my large can of cream of mushroom soup and a 1/2 cup of milk.  When the soupy burger mixture was hot and steamy, I poured it across the tots and then added a layer of shredded cheese to the top.

I baked it at 400° for about 40 minutes.  When the dinger went off, I proclaimed dinner was served.

The 16 year old wouldn't eat it.  The 18 year old said it was delicious. The Man and I decided it was good enough to fill us up but it wasn't going on the permanent what sounds good for dinner menu.

Quicky dinner

Let me tell you about one night a few weeks ago.  I was tired and bored and not really feeling like making anything for dinner; and, I didn't have a lot to work with as it were, so I was feeling a big desperate too.

It has been a rough road recovering from the Bar exam, starting a new job, gaining weight, then losing it, etc.

I looked in the pantry and all I could see were bags of rice, some spaghetti sauce, a can of cream of mushroom soup, a few bags of cereal and two bottles of soy sauce.  Yum.

The kids were whining because they're starving (they are ALWAYS starving by the way) and The Man was claiming hunger pains to the Nth degree.

In the freezer I found a pound of frozen shredded cheese, a pound of hamburger and a bag of tater tots.

WALA! An idea struck.

I chopped the only onion I had, sauteed it in a little butter, then added the now defrosted hamburger, seasoned with some garlic salt and pepper, and browned it up like I was making taco meat.

While the burger was browning, I took to the task of spraying a 9x13 cake pan with non stick spray. Then I stood each of those cute little tater tots on end and lined that pan all sorts of orderly.  And pretty.

When the burger was done, I drained the excess grease and added my large can of cream of mushroom soup and a 1/2 cup of milk.  When the soupy burger mixture was hot and steamy, I poured it across the tots and then added a layer of shredded cheese to the top.

I baked it at 400° for about 40 minutes.  When the dinger went off, I proclaimed dinner was served.

The 16 year old wouldn't eat it.  The 18 year old said it was delicious. The Man and I decided it was good enough to fill us up but it wasn't going on the permanent what sounds good for dinner menu.

But, it was quick, easy and didn't take a lot of effort.  I call that a win.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

2 lb. lean ground beef
Salt & Pepper
Season All
Garlic Powder
1/2 chopped onion (medium sized)
1 egg
1 (16 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained
1 (8 oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
3/4 c. chili sauce
3/4 c. water
1/3 c. brown sugar

In large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, salt & pepper, Season All and garlic powder (to taste), egg and onion; mix well. Shape into meatballs. Brown in skillet.

Combine sauerkraut, cranberry sauce, chili sauce, 3/4 cup water and brown sugar. Pour half into 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish. Arrange meatballs on top. Pour remaining mixture over meatballs. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 325 degrees; uncover and bake 15-20 minutes longer. Serves 8-10.

We make these in a Dutch Oven also. Follow same directions, use 10 briquettes on bottom, 12 on top. You can also cook in slow cooker 3-4 hours.