If you've never tried hotdish then you're in for a treat with this sweet potato tater tot version. Onions, peppers, black beans, and veggies are cooked in a cheezy vegan chili sauce and then baked in a cast iron skillet with a layer of tater tots on top. Pure heaven.
1tbsptabasco sauce(or other vinegar-based hot sauce)
For assembly:
1cupcooked corn(frozen is fine)
1 and 3/4cupscooked black beans(1 14-oz. can)
20oz.sweet potato tater tots
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat the olive over medium high heat in a large cast iron skillet (9 to 11 inch). Add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeno; saute until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the plantains and cook for another 2 minutes.
Whisk together the cumin, chili powder, tapioca starch, mustard powder, salt, and nutritional yeast if using. Add these dry ingredients to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and starting to dry out. Add the non-dairy milk, lime juice, and tabasco sauce, and stir. Continue to cook while stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and gets a little stretchy.
Stir in the corn and black beans, and taste for seasoning, adding more salt and lime juice if desired. Place the frozen sweet potato tater tots in a layer on the top of the skillet. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sweet potato tots are crispy and cooked through.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving, with toppings if desired: guacamole, salsa, red onion, jalapeno slices, cilantro, etc.
Notes
VEGETABLES: I love plantains in this. You could also try using another veggie instead, like zucchini, mushrooms, or just omit it, if plantains aren't your thing.TAPIOCA STARCH: This specific starch is what gives this vegan casserole a "cheesy", stretchy texture. It is made from cassava, a root vegetable. It's available at more and more stores lately. You can also substitute potato starch, arrowroot starch, or even cornstarch or plain flour if needed, but tapioca starch definitely works the best.MUSTARD POWDER: Also not essential; you can instead add 1 tsp of prepared wet mustard at the same time as adding the beans and corn, if desired.