Klobuchar Wins Lawmaker Hot Dish Cookoff

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is not just a popular lawmaker, she's a home grown gourmet. Klobuchar won a hot dish cook off held by fellow Senator Al Franken Wednesday with her Taconite Tater Tot Hot Dish .
 

The friendly competition included Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, Franken and other Democrats, including Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison.

The hot dish judges included a Republican and a Democrat. Former Reps. Vin Weber, a Republican, and Gerry Sikorski, a Democrat, named the winner while enjoying the home cooked flavor.

Care to try your hand at the winning recipe? Here it is:
 

Senator Klobuchar's Award Winning Taconite Tater Tot Hot Dish

Taconite Tator Tot Recipe:

- Ground beef (1-1.5 lbs)
- Cream of mushroom (1 can)
- Cream of chicken (1 can)
- Onions (1 small)
- Garlic (couple cloves)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Pepper jack cheese, shredded (8-12 ounces)
- Tater tots (1 package)
Preparation:
1. Brown ground beef, drain off fat. Sautee onions and garlic.
2. In a large bowl, mix together beef, onions, garlic, both cans of soup, salt and pepper. Spread evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Cover with about half of the shredded cheese.
3. Place tater tops in one layer over the entire pan.
4. Bake at 450 for 30 minutes, or until tater tots are crisp. Cover with remaining cheese and bake until cheese melts.