Cluck-n-Tater hotdish

Yes, here in Miny-soo-tah, we call them hotdish-Wisconsin does too. I do believe that most other places in the country it is called a casserole. And the joke goes "What do we call a casserole? Hotdish! And what goes in every hotdish? Cream of Mushroom soup!" Seriously, that was used in a commercial on the radio. I can't even remember what they were selling, but I remember the bit.

I found this recipe probably close to 15 years ago in some random magazine. I had to modify it as everyone in the house likes a different version of it. One likes hers with corn and no cheese, one like green beans and cheese and the Dude doesn't care as long as he gets some! It looks pretty unappetizing-one of those 'are you kidding me-that looks awful' dishes, but it is sooooo good. I think it just looks bland since the colors are pretty mundane.

Cluck-n-Tater Hotdish

1/2 cup Miracle Whip (or mayo)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

dash of pepper

1 can of corn or green beans, or a small can of each (I'll explain at the end)

2 cups cooked, diced chicken

4 to 5 cups mashed potatoes

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

I am showing how I cook my meat only because I cooked up several breasts so I could have some chopped chicken in the freezer. I simmer it for about 45 minutes in a box of chicken broth and some fresh rosemary. When it is cooked through, let it sit for about 15 minutes then chop as you desire. The rest of the recipe will go on as if you already have the chicken cooked and the mashed potatoes made (I put my recipe on the blog for my mashed spuds).

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix Miracle Whip, milk, salt and pepper in saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly. I will tell you now-it looks gross, but it is worth it in the end. Stir in drained corn or green beans *you can use fresh, it is just the middle of winter here and I have no frozen ones left in the freezer* and diced chicken. Stir to combine and heat through. In a 2 quart casserole, spread about one cup of mashed potatoes on the bottom of the dish.

Pour the creamed mixture over the potatoes. Spread the rest of the potatoes on top, smoothing it down. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes. After removing from oven, let it sit to let it firm up.

I said everyone likes their own version at our house, so when we are all home, I make each person an individual one in a ramekin, so that is why I use a small can of each vegetable in the winter months and one can have it without cheese, one can have green beans, etc. Tonight the Hermit Crab had to work so she didn't eat before she left. I'm sure she had tacos at work. The Drama Queen was home, so I left cheese off the one side. She loves mac and cheese and cheesy bread, grilled cheese-but no cheese on her hotdish. What gives?

Oh, random photo here. The Drama Queen told us at 5:30 that she had to go back to school because she forgot she was singing the National Anthem at the BB game tonight. Let me tell you-I had on long johns, sweats, a 13 year old sweatshirt from the place I used to work, hadn't washed my hair and was full of flour as I was baking today too. Grrrr! Had to jump in the shower and go out with wet hair. Her and Em did a great job. She can sing really well-takes after my side, but not me. I can't carry a tune in a bucket (I would rather carry my beer there anyway), but both my parents and my siblings sing. Really sucks as that is what I would do in a different life. Oh well. She is the one in the green sweater holding the mic.