by: Ms. Carr (School Psychologist)
One of my children is a “meat and potatoes” guy. We were looking for more dishes to accommodate his somewhat limited palate when we heard that one of the former Democratic presidential candidates was feeding a version of this recipe to supporters, so we decided to try it. The meal was a win for our family, even though it did not help the candidate win the democratic nomination!
Source: The New York Times
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 large white or yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
¾ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons chicken, vegetable or beef broth base or bouillon
2 pounds ground beef (about 15 percent fat)
9 ounces frozen peas or corn, or a combination
1 ½ pounds frozen Tater Tots
1 cup shredded Cheddar (optional)
Recipe Steps
Step 1: Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Make the creamed soup: In a large pot, melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, half the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Add half the milk and cook, stirring, until thickened. Add the remaining milk and cook, stirring, until very thick. Stir in the broth base, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into a heat-safe bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Wipe out the pot and set it back over medium-high heat. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then add the remaining onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned. Stir in the peas or corn and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Using a slotted spoon, drain and discard any excess liquid from the beef mixture. Transfer half the mixture to a 4-quart casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Spread half the creamed soup mixture on top. (It can be tricky to spread the soup over the beef, but it’s OK if it gets messy and mixes together a little bit.)
Step 5: Add the remaining beef mixture on top in an even layer, and spread the remaining creamed soup mixture on top. Cover with Tater Tots, sprinkle with another pinch of salt and pepper, then with cheese, if using.
Step 6: Bake until the tots are golden brown and crispy on top, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve with ketchup.