Southern style shepherds pie

July 4, 12:22 PMSF Comfort Food ExaminerDustin Platt

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Someone was a bit too impatient.

Shepherd pie's southern cousin, tater tot casserole, is delightful and easy to make. A hearty and filling casserole, this recipe doesn't require fancy technique or special skills. Leftover meatloaf can be used, as well as sausage or chicken, and instead of left over mashed potatoes, tater tots are used. In its original form as it was passed from mother to son, It also comes together rapidly: brown the hamburger, add the soup and milk, and pour over the tater tots. To show off at a potluck however, taking these extra steps will pack in pizzazz to impress, and it just might become the main course. 

Start by preheating oven to 350, and layer the first ingredient,

1 (32) oz bag of tater tots

in a 9 x 11 glass casserole dish (spray with Pam if you like, or to go really southern-style, use bacon grease or Crisco)

Next, heat large saute or sauce pan, and saute together in 1 tbsp olive oil

4  minced garlic cloves

1/2 each diced yellow onion and bell pepper (both red and green do a wonderful thing to the color profile)

1 med carrot, chopped

When onion is caramelized, add other desired vegetables such as:

1 cup diced mushroom, whole peas, or chopped asparagus with

1 Lb ground meat  or chopped meatloaf (why not try stew meat, venison, or chorizo)

Season mixture with:

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp each salt, chili powder

1/2 tsp black pepper and a dash of cayenne

After meat has browned, deglaze pan with:

1/4 cup white wine (or squeeze in a whole lemon for extra kick... watch out for seeds)

Reducing liquid, mix in 1 tbsp unsalted butter allowing it to melt. This will neutralize acids as well as help all other ingredients to incorporate together nicely.

Finally, stir in:

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can of milk

Bring to a simmer, then pour meat mixture over tater tots into casserole dish. Carefully place in oven and cook for 30 minutes. Casserole is done when sauce has set, and should be well browned over top.

While this dish has occasionally been covered in breadcrumbs/ and or grated cheddar, the tater tots have enough carbs and the dish already has plenty of dairy.

Author's preference is to serve garnished with Tapatio to balance out the rich dairy.

Makes approximately 9-12 hearty portions.