Bacon and Tater tots, two of America’s favorite foods, together in one bite size nugget. This is probably the biggest break through since the invention of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It is truly a “who put their tater tot in my bacon” or “who put their bacon in my tater tot” situation.

Seriously, these bad boys are so good, they are better than good, they are “shut your front door” good. Trailer Trash ramaki at it’s best. Super easy to make on the grill, these tasty morsels are excellent as an appetizer at a backyard party, or as a side dish next to a burger. And I can hardly wait until tailgating season starts, move over little smokies.

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Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots

Bacon and Tater tots, two of America's favorite foods, together in one bite size nugget. This is probably the biggest break through since the invention of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. It is truly a "who put their tater tot in my bacon" or "who put their bacon in my tater tot" situation.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 12 strips bacon cut in half
• 24 tater tots slightly thawed
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder cayenne pepper, or Cajun spice (optional)
• 2 jalapeno peppers cored and slivered (optional)

Instructions

• Spread tater tots out on a plate and allow to thaw about 15 minutes at room temperature. Cut the bacon strips in half.
• Loosely roll a strip of bacon around a tot with a sliver of jalapeno if desired. Be careful not to wrap the tot to tight as the bacon will tighten up around it as it cooks.
• Slide the wrapped tots onto a skewer leaving about an inch between them to allow the bacon to crisp on all sides.
• Place the skewers on a wire rack on top of a baking pan with an edge to catch the drippings.
• Sprinkle with chili powder, cayenne pepper, or Cajun spice if desired.
• Heat the grill on high then turn off one half. Place the pan of bacon-wrapped tater tots on the cold side of the grill and cook with the lid closed for 30 – 40 minutes, or until bacon is crisped. (grilling time varies depending on grills).
• Remove the tots from the skewers and serve.

Notes

The tots can also be baked in a 400 degree oven for about the same amount of time.

 

These little “food candies” will definitively be a hit, I promise! Caution: For your own safety, place the plate of tots on the table and get out-of-the-way!

Caution: For your own safety, place the plate of tots on the table and get out-of-the-way!  

Popular in grade school cafeterias throughout the Midwest during the 1960’s, the Tater Tot casserole has in my opinion, unfairly received a bad rap.  Many consider this dish nothing more than “trailer trash” food……………….. well if that’s the case……………then rent me a double-wide.

For me this gooey delight is a comfort food.  We all have them, widely differing for each of us, many of these favorites are based on where we grew up, or a favorite family recipe.  A meal that makes us feel good, like wearing a big fuzzy old sweater.  So on this snowy day what seemed appropriate was for me to make something in the oven that would not only toast up the house, but that I could easily enjoy wrapped up in my blanket watching a move.

The Tater Tot was created in 1956 by the Ore-Ida company in an attempt to find a way to use the left over slivers of potatoes from their other products.  They added some flour and spice to the chopped up remains, and pushed the mash through holes slicing pieces as they came out.  Originally the Tots were very inexpensive and sold poorly due to low perceived value, so the company raised the prices and the Tots began sell. Many companies now offer a similar product, Ore-Ida alone produces about 70 million pounds of these little nuggets each year.

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Tater Tot Casserole

A retro school lunch type casserole of made with ground meat and vegetables in a creamy gravy, topped with crisp tater-tots.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Retro

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1½ cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 10.75 oz can of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic
• ¼ cup chicken stock
• 2 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons of ketchup
• ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 3 cups frozen Tater-Tots

Instructions

• Cook sausage and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is well browned, stirring to crumble the meat.
• Pour off any excess oil.
• Stir soup, ketchup and Worcestershire into skillet and add vegetables mixing well. Resist adding salt, the Worcestershire will offer plenty.
• Spoon the mixture into shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese.
• Cover with tater-tots and remaining cheese and a grind of black pepper.
• Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 425 degrees F for 25 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown.
• Allow casserole to stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

French version of the Tater Tot called the Croquette.