BLOG TAKEOVER: Totchos

Upon hearing an East Coast cousin scored Tater Tots on his Shelter in Place shop, I asked my son to post a recipe he shared in his 7th grade class cookbook.

Moore Totchos, Please!

Nachos + Tater Tots = Totchos

Serves 6

About a year ago, my mom asked what we wanted for dinner. I wanted tater tots. My sister wanted nachos. We couldn’t agree on one or the other. My Mom, being the cook in the family, decided to put them together. That’s how Totchos became a family favorite meal. Totchos  are tater tots with nacho stuff on top: things such as beans, meat, melted cheese, tomatoes, avocados -- whatever you like.. It was love at first smell for me. But I also learned from this meal that you can be creative with recipes and create new things out of food. 

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) package Tater Tots (we use Alexia brand)

1 pound ground chicken thigh or ground beef

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 avocado, diced

3 scallions, sliced

2 tomatoes, diced

4 radishes, thinly sliced

Sliced black olives

Sliced, pickled jalapeno peppers

Sour cream

1 Tablespoon avocado or grapeseed oil

Taco seasoning (see side)

Cheese sauce (see below)

 

Taco Seasoning

In small bowl mix all ingredients together

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder.

1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder.

1/4 tsp. Onion Powder.

1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.

1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano.

1/2 tsp. Paprika.

1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin.

1 tsp. Sea Salt.

Prepare tots according to package directions. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add meat and brown. Add taco seasoning and ½ cup water, simmer for 10 minutes.

Make cheese sauce. When tots done, cover with cheese and add all other

toppings. Serve immediately.

Cheese Sauce

3  tablespoons butter

1/4 cup flour

2  cups milk

2 cups shredded, sharp Cheddar cheese

Salt to taste

1/8 teaspoon paprika

A few shakes of hot sauce, such as Crystal or Tabasco

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the flour and stir with wire whisk. When blended, add milk, stir rapidly with the whisk. Keep stirring until sauce is thickened. Add the cheese and stir over low heat until the cheese melts. Once the cheese melt, turn off heat. Add salt, paprika and hot sauce if using.