Washington, D.C. -- Today, Senator Al Franken of Minnesota hosted the Fifth Annual Minnesota Hotdish Off on Capitol Hill. This was freshman Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06)’s first time participating in the competition, a fact he highlighted in his “Fresh Meat Hotdish.”  

“Like many Minnesotans, I grew up on hotdish,” said Emmer. “As the delegation’s newest member, I’m excited to join my colleagues in this annual tradition celebrating our home state. Just like my work in Congress is a fresh take on politics, my hotdish was a fresh take on my mom’s recipe.”

The annual competition is an opportunity for the Minnesota delegation to get together and enjoy a taste of home and celebrate the state’s culture. All dishes were judged in a blind taste test by the judges, Jill Burcum, Eric Kaler, and Devin Henry. This year’s winner was Congresswoman Betty McCollum with her Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Wild Rice Hotdish. Click here for pictures from the event.

Emmer’s recipe is as follows:

FRESH MEAT HOTDISH

Ingredients
1 pound, ground beef
1 can, cream of mushroom soup
1 can, cream of chicken soup
6 oz Green Giant canned corn
1 tsp, garlic
1 tsp, onion powder
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 tsp, Lawry’s seasoned salt
1 bag, Tater Tots
1.5 cups, shredded Land O’Lakes cheddar cheese
1.5 cups, shredded Land O’Lakes jalapeno jack cheese
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Chili powder
1 tsp Paprika
Pinch of Salt and pepper
Optional: hot sauce

Directions
Mix onion, peppers, Lawry’s, onion powder, and garlic into raw hamburger
Add cumin, chili powder, paprika and salt and pepper to tater tots
Brown the hamburger mixture
Mix the corn with the cans of soup
Spread the beef in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish
Alternate layers of soup/corn mixture and cheese
Top with a layer of tater tots
Bake for one hour at 375

Click here for a printable version of Emmer's recipe. Click here for photos from the event.

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