Why not celebrate Taters?? 

I am sure some people are reading this right now asking why in the world am I making such a deal about a potato or National Tater Day? My question to them is this, WHY NOT? With national days out there for everything from Flip a Coin Day to National Feral Cat Day to Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, I really do ask why not celebrate the most used root vegetable there is? Heck, I bet you didn’t know that there is a community in the state of Kentucky that loves their taters so much they have a weekend long celebration that even includes a parade the first Monday in April every year. 

More than just a spud!

Baked, broiled, roasted, mashed, fried, pureed, or grilled; there are a million different ways to cook a potato. And while all the previously mentioned may not be to everyone’s liking, there is something out there for everyone.

Here are my Top Five recommendations for recipes to try this year to celebrate the National Tater Day. 

Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Chowder

I have to say that this recipe is not just for National Tater Day. Making an appearance on our meal plan at least once every other month and even more so during the winter months, this dish will have you licking your bowl when you are done. When the temps are dipping into the frigid category or I am just in dire need of comfort food, this soup delivers every time. The original recipe does not call for bacon, but as I asked above…WHY NOT? With a nice thick cream base, lots of cheese, two types of proteins, and loads of potatoes, it is a true crowd pleaser. 

Red Skinned Potato Salad

Let me let you in on a little secret, I am not a fan of potato salad. That being said, this Red Skinned Potato Salad is the exception to the rule. Side note: I omit the onions. If you are a fan of onions, keep them in. It is the perfect side dish for a summer cookout or a great take along for a family potluck. 

Hashbrown Casserole

My first taste of this lip smacking casserole was at the Cracker Barrel in Murray, Kentucky. After trying it that first time, I knew I needed to find a copycat recipe and fast. And just like a Disney princess, I had to kiss a lot of frogs to find my prince. But boy did I find the prince! That was almost two decades ago. Nowadays a quick internet search will show you the same recipe a million times over on an endless amount of cooking blogs. I have no clue who the original creator of this was, but I like to imagine it was a nice older lady that works the register of her local Cracker Barrel spending her off time as a culinary vigilante…spreading the real recipes for some of the establishments most requested dishes.  Here is the recipe for anyone wanting to give it a try:

Ingredients:

2 lb. pkg. frozen Hash Browns, thawed 

1  8 oz. Sour cream

1  can cream of chicken soup

1  stick butter

1/2 cup  Chopped onion

2 cups  grated Cheddar Cheese

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a greased 9×13 inch pan. Season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in the microwave. In a bowl add minced onions, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, and melted butter.
2. Mix these items together.
3. Pour soup mixture over potatoes; sprinkle with Cheddar Cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until all is completely warm, and the cheese begins to melt.

Gnocchi

As a child I never heard of gnocchi. As an adult I feel like I was deprived during those 18 years. These delicious little pillows of potato perfection are so versatile it is absolutely ridiculous. There is a whole world of recipes and ideas that use gnocchi as the star of their show. But that’s a post for another day.  In our house we like something simple, yet still amazingly flavorful. My husband and I are fond of Ground Beef Gnocchi. If you have 25 minutes, then you have time for this yummy bowl of Italian American cuisine right in your own kitchen.

Photo Cred:  Salt & Lavender

Twice Baked Potatoes

Anyone that has been reading my posts long enough knows that I have an affection for Ree Drummond (a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman) and her recipes from the ranch. Her Twice Baked Potato recipe is no different. Full of bacon, butter, cheese, and of course potatoes, this one is a solid win in the side dish department. But be forewarned, these scrumptious morsels are a bit time consuming. 

So there it is, five recipes that will be sure to turn your National Tater Day into a Spud of a Good Time. Do you have a go to potato centered dish that you think the contributors here at The Basic Moms need to try? Drop your recipes, thoughts, and links in the comments section down below.