Tater Tot (Base)

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed left unpeeled
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Vegetable oil, for frying

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Scrub potatoes and cut into large cubes. Put in a medium sized pot; fill with cold water and 1 Tsp salt. Biring to a boil.
3. Parboil potatoes until they are tender, drain and let them cool slightly. Grate them in a food processor and squeeze out excess liquid.
4. Place potatoes in a large bowl and lightly mix in cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
5. Add in vegetable oil to a ½ in. thick heavy bottomed skillet and set over medium heat.
6. When oil is hot, form them-sized balls of the potato mixture and fry until golden brown color is reached, about 15 sec. each side.
7. Drain excess oil off on paper towels, and let tots cool. Place a layer on the baking sheet, transfer to the oven and bake until crispy. Able 15 - 20 minutes turning over once.

Pulled Pork Totchos

• 1 batch of tater tots
• 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups cooked pulled pork
• ½ cup white onion, diced
• ½ cup pickled jalapeno
• ½ cup barbeque sauce
• 1 bunch of green onions, sliced
• Ranch for drizzle
• Avocado for garnish

1. Place tater tots on a bake proof dish deep enough to place pulled pork, bar-b-q sauce and shredded jack cheese all over and place in the oven or 5 mins until cheese has melted. Begin to layer with the remainder of ingredients: white onion, pickled jalapenos, green onion, ranch and avocados.

Buffalo Bacon Tater Tot Pie

• 1 batch of tater tots
• 5 slices of bacon, diced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup buffalo sauce
• Fresh chives, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a pie dish that is lightly coated with cooking spray place tater tots and press down on them lightly.
2. In a medium sized skillet place diced bacon and cook until crispy removing from skillet and pat drying with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
3. Top the pie dish with bacon and cheese, bake until the cheese melts (about 5 minutes). While baking combine sour cream and buffalo sauce mix and top with freshly cut chives.

Taco Tots

• 1 batch tater tots
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• ½ white onion, diced
• 1 ½ cups of pico de gallo

1. One tots are taken out the oven sprinkling the taco seasoning over the entire batch ensuring an even coat. Sprinkle cheese and bake in the oven about 5 minutes until cheese melts. Then top with pico de gallo.

Animal Style Tots

• 1 batch tater tots
• ½ cup mayo
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons dill pickles, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 cheddar cheese slices
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1. Place mayo, ketchup, mustard, dill pickles, sugar, salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar in a bowl, mix well and set aside.
2. In a medium sized skillet heat up oil and add in onions mixing until caramelized.
3. Place tots on a microwaveable dish and layer with diced onion and cheese slices. Microwave for 30 - 50 seconds until cheese is melted and top with sauce.

• https://foodimentary.com/2019/02/02/february-2nd-is-national-tater-tot-day-nationaltatertotday/