Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation came together Wednsday for U.S. Sen. Al Franken’s second annual hotdish competition. Franken started the friendly “Hotdish Off” last year as a way to bring the delegation together to put partisanship aside and celebrate a Minnesota tradition. Franken, D- Minn., and Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-8th District tied for first place with their "Mom's Mahnomin Madness Hotdish" and "Minneosta Wild Strata Hotdish."
“If there’s one thing that can bring a bunch of Minnesotans together, it’s hotdish” said Franken. “I want to thank all of my colleagues for participating in today’s competition, and it’s always great to be able to put partisanship aside and focus on the things we have in common. And a hearty congratulations to Cravaack for the an amazing hotdish.”
“Thanks to Sen. Franken and his staff for a job well done and a great afternoon.” said Cravaack. “I want to thank my colleagues and their staffs for all the hard work that went into today’s event.”
“While Ted the Turkey didn’t get pardoned at Thanksgiving, he lives on as the inspiration for this fine hotdish,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar said. “Congratulations to this year’s winners, Sen. Franken and Rep. Cravaack. Thanks for working out your tied scores without a recount.”
“While I personally prefer lutefisk and lefse, I think this meat and potatoes dish has the ability to garner bipartisan support,” said. Rep. Collin Peterson.
“Our recipes are as diverse as our politics, but we can all agree that a good hot dish is a staple on kitchen tables across Minnesota,” said Rep. Michele Bachmann. “Today is a bipartisan opportunity to celebrate our great state and last week’s bipartisan success on passing the St. Croix River Crossing legislation.”
“I always look forward to getting together with my colleagues and sampling the many versions of Minnesota’s signature dish,” said Rep. Keith Ellison. “What a great way to highlight the state’s produce and enjoy a little taste of home.”
“I’m proud to feature SPAM, an iconic product made right here in the First District, in my hotdish this afternoon,” said Rep. Tim Walz. “Today we come together to share our hotdish recipes, tomorrow let’s continue to act in a bipartisan manner and share ideas on how we can work together to get things done for all Minnesotans.”
“Today’s friendly competition gave us all a chance to continue building on the relationships that helps get things done in Washington,” Said Rep. Erik Paulsen. “All of our hotdish recipes would make Minnesotans proud. I look forward to continuing our collaboration on recipes to reform the tax code, develop American energy sources, and create jobs.”
After blind taste testing each member’s hotdish former Congressmen Vin Weber, R-Minn., and The Rev. Patrick Conroy, the House Chaplain, decided that Franken's "Mom's Mahnomin Madness Hotdish" and Cravaack's "Minneosta Wild Strata Hotdish" just couldn’t be topped and declared them co-winners of the 2012 Hotdish off. The other members prepared the following hotdishes: Klobuchar made Ted the Turkey Memorial Hotdish; Peterson made Pølse and Potet hotdish; Bachmann made St. Croix River Crossing hotdish; Paulsen made Double Barrel Pheasant hotdish; Ellison made Minnesota Meat on Your Bones Shepherd’s Pie; and Walz made Spam Town Special hotdish.
To see the recipes go to
