{Recipes & Royals} How's This For a Combo -- Tater Tot Casserole & The Royal Wedding

I made this Tater Tot Casserole last night for my family {recipe compliments of Hungry Girl}. I get a daily e-mail newsletter from Hungry Girl with recipes, tips and tricks for healthy eating, and great substitutes for some of your "unhealthy" favorites {you can sign up for this on their website}. In addition, all of the caloric stats are listed with each recipe, which is nice to know if you're watching the ole' waistline.

Ingredients:
~ 2 cups sliced mushrooms
~ 1 cup chopped onion
~ 3 cups frozen chopped spinach
~ 2 cups frozen bite-sized mixed veggies
~ 2 cups frozen ground-beef-style soy crumbles {like the kind by Boca or Morningstar Farms}
**I subbed lean ground beef for the soy crumbles**
~ 1 cup frozen shelled edamame
~ 1 tsp. chopped garlic
~ One 10.75-oz. can 98% fat-free cream of mushroom condensed soup
~ 36 frozen Ore-Ida Tater Tots (about 3 cups)
~ S&P

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add mushrooms and onion. Stirring occasionally, cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Set aside.
3. Meanwhile, place frozen spinach, mixed veggies, soy crumbles, and edamame in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 5 minutes. Uncover and stir. Cover and microwave for 3 more minutes, or until thawed.
**If subbing ground beef for soy crumbles, just brown the beef, drain the fat and add to the veggies once done.
4. Once cool enough to handle, drain any excess water from the bowl. Add mushroom-onion mixture and garlic, and mix well. Add condensed soup, and toss until ingredients are thoroughly coated.
5. Spray an 8" X 8" baking pan with nonstick spray, and evenly spoon mixture into the pan, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon. Evenly lay Tater Tots on top in a single layer.
6. Bake in the oven until entire casserole is hot and the top is crispy {about 35 minutes}. Serve it up and, if you like, season to taste with salt and pepper.

**I served this casserole with applesauce. It's really good, but I would say you must be a fan of veggies to like this -- definitely a vegetabley taste!

ENJOY!

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I'll admit it -- I'm excited beyond belief to see Prince William marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey this month.

There is something about this couple that just fascinates me. Maybe it's the fact that the future King of England is marrying a "commoner." Maybe it's the oh-so-proper and distinguished British accent {exhausting by the way - I have long ago childhood memories of pretending to be British -- ha!}. Maybe it's the fact that my own mother set her alarm clock for 2am on the morning Prince Charles wed Diana. Or perhaps it's that I can't wait to see Kate's gown, the flowers, and all the wedding day details!

I guess I can't put my finger on exactly what I love so much about this couple, but I know I'll be watching that tv at some ungodly hour on April 29, 2011! Are you joining me?