Fry-Day FUN!

Moms notoriously face the challenge of the answer to the question, "WHAT'S FOR DINNER, MOM?"  While not every day can be Fry-Day in my house, we do indulge occasionally.  Ore-Ida products make it easy to bring fun to dinner!

Here are a few ideas to spice up boring potatoes for your next meal or party--hope you enjoy them.

 

 

Tiny Tot Skewers--so easy and simple, your own tiny tots will love them.  For these, simply thread a mini hamburger patty (use your favorite recipe), Ore-Ida tater tots on each side, and top with a mini kosher dill pickle.  Serve warm with ketchup and mustard, and your favorite vegetable. 

*Important tip--use wooden coffee stirrers for kids under 10 instead of regular skewers or toothpicks.  They are much safer and don't have sharp pointed ends.

Another fun way to spice up the potatoes you serve is to give your family something unexpected--like my Southwestern Hash Brown Waffles.  Put that waffle maker to good use throughout the day, and not just at breakfast!  Here's how to do it:

 

Ingredients (per waffle, 3-4 servings each):

 

1 1/2 cups Ore-Ida frozen hash browns

1 large egg

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp garlic powder

3 chopped green onions, white & green parts

Salt & pepper, to taste

 

Sour cream & more chopped green onions for serving

 

Directions:

 

1.  Preheat your waffle iron to medium high heat.

2.  Carefully combine the first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl.  Season with salt and pepper.  Spray your waffle iron with olive oil spray (I use pure olive oil in my Misto sprayer).

3.  Distribute the entire hash brown mixture onto the waffle iron evenly.  Close the lid, and press down a little to help even everything out.

4.  Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the waffle is golden brown and can be removed easily from the waffle maker.

5.  Cut into 3 or four pieces, top with sour cream and more green onions.

 

You can vary the spices to your liking.  These are great served with salsa chicken! 

 

 

Lastly, you HAVE to try these!  Who says kids get to have all the fun?  These maple-glazed bacon tater tots give a grown-up spin on your kid's favorite side, and I guarantee they'll be a hit at your next party! 

Rosemary, Maple, & Bacon Party Tater Tots

This recipe makes 24, but I suggest doubling because they are delicious!

 

24 Ore-Ida frozen tater tots, cooked until golden per package directions

12 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp but slightly flexible (use ready to eat for quick preparation)

1/4 cup pure maple syrup (no substitutions)

1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary

 

Directions:

 

1.  Bring syrup and rosemary to a boil in a small saucepan until warm and bubbling, about 5 minutes.  Set aside to cool slightly.

2.  Cut bacon slices in half.  Using a silicone kitchen brush, paint a little maple syrup glaze on one half, roll around a tater tot and secure with a toothpick.  Set on a plate.  Continue until all 24 tots are wrapped with bacon.

3.  Dot more syrup glaze on the outside of each bacon-wrapped tater tot, set on your serving platter.   Watch your friends go wild!

 

 

 

 

I've had fun coming up with neat and interesting ways to use Ore-Ida hash browns and tater tots, and I hope this inspires you to think outside the box when it comes to your normal everyday sides or appetizers. 

I'd love to hear what you think, or if you have additional ideas for your own fun FRY-days!