How can I jazz up this tater tot casserole?!
CB's SouthWestern Style Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients
1 pound Ground beef 1 Tomato chopped
2 can (12 oz) Campbells SouthWest Style Cheese Soup 1 cup Cheddar shredded
1 can (12 oz) Milk 1 package Frozer tater tots
Answers: I'm making a basic hashbrown casserole (uses tater tots instead of hashbrowns). I'm using the regular cheddar soup instead of southwestern style because I already have the cheddar soup. I'm also not putting tomatoes on top. What can I do to make this more zesty? I don't really want spicy, but flavorful. I'm also using Boca Crumbles instead of ground beef because I'm giving up red meat for Lent. The crumbles are soy, and have no real taste, so I'm thinking of cooking them with spices before putting them in the casserole. I've never made this type of dish before, so what can I add that will mix with the flavors? I don't want a tex mex taste, more like traditional. Maybe Mrs. Dash, red pepper, paprika?
CB's SouthWestern Style Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients
1 pound Ground beef 1 Tomato chopped
2 can (12 oz) Campbells SouthWest Style Cheese Soup 1 cup Cheddar shredded
1 can (12 oz) Milk 1 package Frozer tater tots
Got some cayenne?? That adds some zestiness without too much heat....garlic would be a nice addition as well as some onion (fresh, dehydrated, or even onion powder if you like the flavor of onion w/o using onions) Enjoy your casserole!!! Oh, I forgot, even a few drops of Texas Pete or Tabasco will also give it some zing....
Christopher
try a tsp of mustard always perks up cheesey dishes
i would throw in some nice roasted red and yellow peppers and top it of with some panko bread crumbs that's been tossed with a little butter
but that's just me :)
You could add some green chiles and maybe some cumin and chili powder, maybe some garlic. and dehydrated onion.
I would add some frozen peas...
If you had them, maybe roasted red peppers...
Maybe sauteed chopped onion and green pepper?
I really think it will taste fine just as it is... tater tots have a lot of salty flavor... I certainly wouldn't add anything else with salt in it...
What if you cook the Boca crumbles with some crushed tomatoes OR
add some tomato paste, water, a little garlic powder or onion powder while they cook... the liquid will basically evaporate and you'll just be left with nicely-flavored crumbles (similar to the way taco meat is when you cook it.... starts very liquidy, but then by the time it's finished, it's just intensely-flavored meat). Same idea, just different technique.
Or add some veggies in there.... corn, green bean pieces, onions....
Good Luck!
Sounds good to me...
Tony Cachere's Creole Seasoning is my staple seasoning ... it adds zip to everything! ... I'd also add some diced red & green bell peppers (for looks & flavor), maybe some onions, and fresh cilantro is good on everything too......
I can see why you'd need more flavour!!!
When you cook the boca crumbles, I'd do it with a bit of onion, garlic, and a dash of hotsauce. A dash won't affect the SPICE level, but it will be more flavourful.
If you can get your hands on it, a red or green pepper instead of the tomato would be delicious. If not, corn and a bit of salsa... Yummmyyyy!
And before you put the tater tots in, I'd toss them with a bit of Mrs Dash for some flavour all there own.
Good luck!!!