Planked Totchos
In my youth, tater tots, those deep-fried cylinders of grated potato, were a frequent side with school lunches. Sadly, somewhere along the way of adulthood, I moved on from the tots. Their crispy exterior and soft potato center regulated only to the memories of elementary school lunches.
I'm sure I've tossed the occasional tot into my mouth through the years, most likely stolen from the plates of my friend's children. I'm not proud. I was just hungry.
So, fast forward to this year. I was working on the set of a frigid and rainy shoot for Weber Grills in Chicago when my dear friend, Brooke, mentioned totchos. I stopped in my tracks. Tater tots were on the shot list, which I thought was a fun change-up, but I had no idea tater tots could be transformed into "more." I mean, we all know I love nachos, so this crazy idea of Totchos where tater tots replace tortillas blew my mind.
True to form, I tracked down some Totchos before I flew home. They did not disappoint, and I knew exactly how to make them my own.
Tater tots are a great example of using a grill to impart smokey flavor on food usually shoved in the oven. Using indirect heat, set up the grill for the required cook temperature, and instead of a sheet pan, use a perforated grill pan or basket.
A sheet pan will work, but the perforations of the grill allow for maximum smoke penetration.
Once cooked, I could not stop eating them. Grilled tots are smokey delicious. I had to pump the brakes on my consumption.
While the grill pan is excellent for preparing the tots, for the totchos, I opted for a grilling plank. A smoldering plank adds additional flavor while doing double duty as a serving platter.
My totchos have taken several different forms. All have been equally delicious in their own right.
I started traditional: tater tots with pepper jack cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon, pickled red onions, and chipotle sour cream.
From there, I went the BBQ route with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, pickled red onion, and BBQ sauce.
My last version, I'll post below. It was easily my favorite, Cheeseburger Totchos.
It’s packed with tots, burgers, pickles, cheddar cheese, and yes, homemade special sauce.
I've made them three times in the last week. A lot of time has passed since my school-age tot time. I've got a lot of making up to do.
If you are new to planking, be sure to check out my friends at Wildwood Grilling and my own planks right here on Another PInt Please.
Planked Cheeseburger Tots
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare a grill for medium-high heat, 400º to 450º F.
- Grill the wood plank over direct heat until it is marked and begins to smolder, approximately 1 minute.
- Using a grill pan, cook the tater tots per packaged directions over indirect heat. I use Ore-Ida, which calls for 400º for 20 minutes.
- Remove cooked tater tots from the grill pan and place one layer on the burned side of the grilling plank. Top the tater tots with half the chopped burger, cheese, pickles, 1/4 cup special sauce. Repeat for one additional layer.
- Grill the plank over indirect medium-high heat until the cheese melts and begins to brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove and serve from the plank.
