What does one serve with tuna casserole?
June 4, 2017 10:16 PM Subscribe
Inviting five friends over for an evening of dominoes. I will be serving tuna casserole But what else? I can't mentally conjure up anything to go with it, even if it is May's Famous Tuna Casserole.
Donald E. Westlake wrote a series of books about John Dortmunder, whose "faithful companion May" made this signature dish, which everyone agreed was simply the Best. Westlake was even kind enough to put the recipe in an appendix to one of the books. it serves 6 generously, so Mr. K and I were reluctant to make it just for ourselves. So, this Friday, an informal dinner party. But what else? Asparagus is just coming into season here ... maybe? I'm drawing a blank.
The casserole consists of al dente egg noodles, frozen spinach (well drained), chunk white canned tuna, and a simple white sauce with a dash of nutmeg. This is layered, like lasagna, and baked, rather than stirred all together.
I can think of a lot of mildly unpleasant side dishes, but I want to make this dish sing!
Donald E. Westlake wrote a series of books about John Dortmunder, whose "faithful companion May" made this signature dish, which everyone agreed was simply the Best. Westlake was even kind enough to put the recipe in an appendix to one of the books. it serves 6 generously, so Mr. K and I were reluctant to make it just for ourselves. So, this Friday, an informal dinner party. But what else? Asparagus is just coming into season here ... maybe? I'm drawing a blank.
The casserole consists of al dente egg noodles, frozen spinach (well drained), chunk white canned tuna, and a simple white sauce with a dash of nutmeg. This is layered, like lasagna, and baked, rather than stirred all together.
I can think of a lot of mildly unpleasant side dishes, but I want to make this dish sing!
S'Tella's tuna fish casserole has peas, celery, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions - no spinach. I usually serve it with a Bibb lettuce salad and multigrain rolls. Sometimes I make wilted lettuce instead of a normal salad.
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 10:22 PM on June 4, 2017
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 10:22 PM on June 4, 2017
Best answer: You want some contrast with the taste and texture of the casserole. I would serve it with something cool and crisp, since tuna casserole (which I genuinely do like) is warm and soft. So...a green salad, or a simple raw cucumber or tomato salad. The salad should have a vinaigrette type dressing, also for contrast, since tuna casserole is rich and creamy.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:26 PM on June 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:26 PM on June 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Double down on the 1950s with Jell-o salad.
posted by zippy at 10:48 PM on June 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zippy at 10:48 PM on June 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If I were serving tuna casserole, I think I would serve it with a vinegary cucumber salad and some briefly steamed carrots with butter,dill and some slivered almonds.
posted by Foam Pants at 12:18 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Foam Pants at 12:18 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Some people like chicken and tuna salads on a plate. I like them in a sandwich. So I would add a green salad and maybe some spicy saucy baked beans. Vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit (or both) for dessert.
posted by TrishaU at 2:56 AM on June 5, 2017
posted by TrishaU at 2:56 AM on June 5, 2017
Best answer: Shredded beet and carrot salad would be a nice complement - colorful, tangy, crunchy.
posted by evilmomlady at 3:10 AM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by evilmomlady at 3:10 AM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you can get ripe tomatoes, a salad of slices of tomato and thinly sliced spring onions with a mustardy vinaigrette. Or a salad of lightly steamed green beans (still crunchy), also with a mustardy vinaigrette. Ot both ;-)
posted by mumimor at 3:43 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 3:43 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I think I'd do two contrasting salads.
One a very simple garden salad thrown together right before serving with the best tomatoes you can find, a fragile lettuce like maybe boston lettuce, maybe some thinly sliced celery or fennel or toasted seeds for crunch, and a straightforward vinaigrette with great olive oil and a sherry or champagne vinegar.
And one that you toss together early and marinate the night before, no lettuce. Grated beet and carrot with orange juice and tarragon would bring out the nutmeg in the casserole. Or maybe a chickpea salad with chunks of cucumber and sweet onion with mint and parsley. Or an American summer thing with fresh corn, lemon, bell peppers and garlic.
posted by Mizu at 5:38 AM on June 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
One a very simple garden salad thrown together right before serving with the best tomatoes you can find, a fragile lettuce like maybe boston lettuce, maybe some thinly sliced celery or fennel or toasted seeds for crunch, and a straightforward vinaigrette with great olive oil and a sherry or champagne vinegar.
And one that you toss together early and marinate the night before, no lettuce. Grated beet and carrot with orange juice and tarragon would bring out the nutmeg in the casserole. Or maybe a chickpea salad with chunks of cucumber and sweet onion with mint and parsley. Or an American summer thing with fresh corn, lemon, bell peppers and garlic.
posted by Mizu at 5:38 AM on June 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Garlic bread/toast.
posted by mefireader at 7:56 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mefireader at 7:56 AM on June 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Peas!
posted by pintapicasso at 9:14 AM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by pintapicasso at 9:14 AM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks! Will be going to the Farmers' Market with tangy/crunchy in mind.
posted by kestralwing at 10:29 AM on June 5, 2017
posted by kestralwing at 10:29 AM on June 5, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ideefixe at 10:21 PM on June 4, 2017 [2 favorites]