The Perfectly Normal Origins of Hotdish

Growing up in rural Minnesota in the early 90s, I lived on two things: Diet Sprite and Grandma's famous hotdish. Years later I still dig into Minnesota's favorite dish, and non-Minnesotans are quick to ask: what exactly is this "hotdish"? Is it a dish that is hot? Some sort of dish Minnesotans invented? You'll be surprised to know the origins of our beloved hotdish are actually quite normal, and you've probably eaten some hotdish yourself. Ready to dig into the true origins of our state dish? It's time to dig into Minnesota's original family treat!

Hotdish, The Origins of a Perfectly Normal Dish
Go to any Minnesota get together and you'll hear the word Hotdish thrown around, along with potato salad and green beans mixed with mushroom soup. Hotdish itself is what Minnesotans call hot casserole, always prepared in an oblong pan and served during dinner. No one really knows the true origins of this classic dish, but some people believe the origins of this dish came from Norway. A similar dish in Norway, called varmrett, is loosely translated as warm dish, and Norwegians are in full abundance in Minnesota. Hordes of Norwegians immigrated to Minnesota in the late 1800s, and they brought along many things, including their own hotdish, varmrett. Today the origins of varmrett, hotdish, are enjoyed thoroughly through the great state of Minnesota (and in some parts of the Dakotas and Wisconsin).

This does not mean any ol' casserole qualifies for the moniker of "hotdish", however. A true Minnesotan hotdish includes a few key ingredients, and eating your casserole without these ingredients is downright sinful.

Origins of Hotdish: The Key Ingredients
Hotdish includes a few (but important) key ingredients. These ingredients are:

~ A starch, such as potatoes or rice.
~ Canned soup, such as tomato or mushroom soup.
~ Meat, such as ground beef or ham.

The origins of these key ingredients are simple -- convenience and price. Hotdish is the perfect dish if you're short on cash (or ingredients), and all of these ingredients easily cost under $3.00, minus the meat. Mix it together in a pan of your choice, put in the oven, and wait for it to cook. It is filling and delicious, and really beats Minnesota's winter chills during the holiday season.

Hotdish, Delicious Cuisine
Had your fill of the origins of Minnesota's favorite treat? Recipes are only a click away, and they only take minutes to complete. Click on over to bellaonline.com or iChef.com to try out some authentic hotdish recipes, including some rice hotdish favorites and modern twists on the Minnesotan classic. Enjoy and Lycka Till!

Sources:
"What is Hotdish?" by S.E. Smith, wisegeek.com
"Hotdish on a Stick" by James Norton, Flak Magazine