Finally were able to get our friends together for dinner last night, the Racetrack Casserole (aka Chicken Tortilla Casserole) received raves from everyone. Taking your advice to skip chips and dip for appys with drinks, I ended up keeping it ultra simple with smokehouse almonds and jalapeno pickled carrots, also well received.
As to the side dish which was the reason for posting this topic in the first place, having experimented with a few different cole slaw variations I opted for a butter lettuce salad with orange and grapefruit slices and sliced celery and radicchio, dressed with a citrus and cranberry vinaigrette. The salad was the right refreshing counterpoint to the relative spiciness and heavy cheesiness of the casserole.
Topping it off I served Burnt Caramel puddings from Food52. If you haven’t made this custard I urge you to try it. These puddings are terrific and really easy.
Thanks for all your advice.
