# Vice-Presidential culinary question: What is "hotdish" in Minnesota? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398 "2024-08-08T00:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/1 "2024-08-08T00:24:58Z")
Question re Tim Walz: he apparently won the “Minnesota Congressional Delegation HotDish-off” contest three years running, with his “New Ulm Hotdish”. Please elaborate for a puzzelled Canuck: what is “hotdish”, please? ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/2 "2024-08-08T00:26:37Z")
I think it’s a synonym for “casserole”. So, not a specific dish, but just the general category of “a bunch of stuff put in a dish and baked together”. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/3 "2024-08-08T00:29:30Z")
Tater Tot Hotdish (Casserole). Ground beef, mixed vegetables, cream o’ somethin’, and topped with a layer of tater tots. Notice how no spices are mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/4 "2024-08-08T00:37:31Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Notice how no spices are mentioned. The ratios make the 1/4 teaspoon of pepper meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/5 "2024-08-08T00:37:50Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Notice how no spices are mentioned. Hey, I have it on good authority that Minnesotans make appropriate use of both spices - salt AND pepper! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/6 "2024-08-08T00:38:14Z")
Actually the recipe I saw used ground turkey. 🤮 ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/7 "2024-08-08T00:39:20Z")
Around here it’d be a dish to pass. We often have crock pots with beans, cheesy potatoes (called funeral potatoes else where yuk), or any of a number of hot things to eat. I wonder if those are hotdishes too? You know someone posted a hot dish recipe yesterday that was supposed to be Walz’s award winning tater tot hotdish recipe. It was brought up that the recipe had two different cream soups, heart attack etc. But it was not the award winning one. That one featured ground turkey, fresh green beans, different spices, cheese and dairy milk or cream I don’t remember. You had to scroll down to find it. I was going to post to that thread, but I could not get the reply button to respond. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/8 "2024-08-08T00:41:46Z")
Looks like his is beer-brat based. [![](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/E74O4N4DDFDXZFJLDZCSL5IS64.JPG?&w=535) ](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/E74O4N4DDFDXZFJLDZCSL5IS64.JPG?&w=535) It honestly doesn’t sound bad, but I’d add some chopped bell peppers and maybe a bit of white pepper and paprika. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/9 "2024-08-08T00:48:44Z")
OMG, he drinks Schell’s? Everything I hear about that guy makes me love him more! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/10 "2024-08-08T00:49:48Z")
I equate “hotdish” with something one is likely to take to a potluck (also known as a pitch-in, in some parts of the country). Casseroles and items made in crockpots are classic contributions. They tend to be heavy and are not known for exotic (or frankly much of any) spices. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/11 "2024-08-08T01:01:50Z")
Yeah, I’m making that this weekend. Actually sounds delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/12 "2024-08-08T01:03:41Z")
Use shredded hash browns and it’s even better. Put any spice you like ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/13 "2024-08-08T01:04:11Z")
And I must be really not in touch with US cuisine: “tater tots”, please? something potato related? ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/14 "2024-08-08T01:07:05Z")
[https://www.kroger.com/p/ore-ida-golden-tater-tots-seasoned-shredded-frozen-potatoes-value-size/0001312001203?storecode=01800811&cid=shp\_adw\_shopl\_.FY24.01\_search\_ent\_sales.nh\_allent.lia\_corelia\_kroger.t1\_g\_lia\_shop\_acq\_evgn\_verylowperformers\_all\_rev\_roas\_sf&gad\_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xbsgPy0O\_eQvtO7lzwZhMOUK5vxp69KCNvNOVviA3RlDU3IWmCKFIIaAvFVEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.kroger.com/p/ore-ida-golden-tater-tots-seasoned-shredded-frozen-potatoes-value-size/0001312001203?storecode=01800811&cid=shp_adw_shopl_.FY24.01_search_ent_sales.nh_allent.lia_corelia_kroger.t1_g_lia_shop_acq_evgn_verylowperformers_all_rev_roas_sf&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xbsgPy0O_eQvtO7lzwZhMOUK5vxp69KCNvNOVviA3RlDU3IWmCKFIIaAvFVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) The story is ore ida came up with them to not waste the left over scraps from french fries. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/15 "2024-08-08T01:07:57Z")
It a commercially made potato product. Kinda tiny hash browns. Shredded potatoes formed in to a small barrel shape. Usually deep fried at fast food joints. But you can buy your own at the grocery store freezer section and do all kinds of things. Kids love them. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/16 "2024-08-08T01:08:25Z")
Don’t think I’ve ever seen them. Thanks for the info and pic. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/17 "2024-08-08T01:09:50Z")
YW, I like 'em with _Ketchup_ bwahhhhaaa! ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/18 "2024-08-08T01:12:04Z")
This is the recipe I saw: **Note** : From Rep. Tim Walz, who won the 2014 Minnesota Congressional Delegation Hotdish Off with this (peas-less) recipe. - 1 lb. ground turkey - 1 garlic clove, finely chopped - ½ tsp. dried sage - 1 egg - ½ c. chopped green onions - 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more as needed - 2 tsp. salt, divided - 1 tbsp. olive oil - 1 lb. of fresh green beans, stems removed and chopped into bite-sized pieces - 4 slices bacon - 6 tbsp. butter, divided - 1 ½ c. chopped baby bella mushrooms - 5 to 6 tbsp. flour - 2 ½ c whole milk - ½ c. half and half - ¼ c. chopped onions - 3 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided - 1 (32-oz.) pkg. Tater Tots **Directions** Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine turkey, garlic, sage, green onions, egg, pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and then brown the turkey mixture. Remove from stove and transfer mixture to a large bowl. In a pot of boiling water, blanch green beans for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove beans and plunge them into ice water. Once cool, drain completely and add to turkey mix. In a skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, and cool bacon on paper towels. Chop bacon into ¼-inch pieces and add to turkey mix. Gently combine turkey mix, beans and bacon and spread in an even layer in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons butter. As soon as foam begins to subside, add mushrooms and cook, stirring continuously, until mushrooms are browned, about 4 to 6 minutes. My daughter makes tater tot casserole with ground beef, cream of chicken soup/w milk, and cheese. That’s it. It’s kinda not great but I’ll eat it if there isn’t anything else. That turkey one looks good, but I’d use peas as I don’t like green beans, and maybe ground beef, but I’d at least try the turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/19 "2024-08-08T01:15:14Z")
Here in the Pacific Northwest (and into eastern WA and Idaho as well), people like to use tater tots as the base for nachos instead of tortilla chips, and call it “totchos”. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > OMG, he drinks Schell’s? I assume Schell’s is your standard regional pale lager, sorta like Rainier or Genesee? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/20 "2024-08-08T01:20:51Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Don’t think I’ve ever seen them. Thanks for the info and pic. Have a look for frozen tater tots the next time you’re at the supermarket. They’re good; I loved them when I was a child, and still do. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398.md?page=2)