661122 Wed Oct 21 06:27:16 -0700 2009 23 31 Home Cooking 0 5119331 I'm throwing a bday party for my spouse and will be serving Turkey Chili( we dont eat red meat). The location where the party is being held has no refridgeration or oven. I'll be making the chili ahead of time and serving out of a crock pot. When I make Chili at home, I usually always serve brown rice, cornbread, sour cream, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips. I wont serve brown rice at the party because 1. no stove and 2. rice w/ chili isnt really the norm here in SW Ontario( I'm from Cali). I will serve the cornbread and the condiments. Do you think I need another side dish? We'll be having various appetizers ( mostly cold) before dinner. I plan on making a few things, but I was told by the Spouse I should delegate to various guest. So, I know those items will end of being store bought crap( spinach dip, veggie platters, etc). Any suggestions for side dishes? Or maybe I dont even need them? Thanks. Wed Oct 21 06:27:16 -0700 2009 190009 Calipoutine 1 5119369 sounds like this is to be an event where others are contributing.. There will be enough food already. Your contribution of the chili, cornbread and condiments should be more than enough this time. Wed Oct 21 06:45:31 -0700 2009 5119331 164044 calikoala 1 5119390 Cornbread and condiments sounds like a very generous contribution if you are having a potluck. Wed Oct 21 06:54:59 -0700 2009 5119331 68363 JungMann 1 5119491 Maybe a nice coleslaw - that is always nice with chili! (particularly if it's spicy, the coleslaw will tame the heat) Wed Oct 21 07:45:40 -0700 2009 5119331 49588 lexpatti 1 5119563 Is this a red or white/green chili?? If it's red and you really want to add something else, try either macaroni (for chili mac) or simple hot dogs (for chili dogs). The slaw is a nice idea as a counter point to the chili. A nice crusty bread would be good too. DT Wed Oct 21 08:04:52 -0700 2009 5119331 11291 Davwud 1 5119571 Cole slaw, a nice crisp fresh, tangy sweet mostly vinagar based cole slaw. it's my go to side for chili. Wed Oct 21 08:07:37 -0700 2009 5119331 1092553 aggiecat 2 5123640 I agree. Coleslaw is always a staple for me when making pulled pork and cornbread. I'd imagine it would be great with chili as well! Thu Oct 22 15:21:10 -0700 2009 5119571 429926 CreativeFoodie42 1 5119692 There's really only 2, maybe 3 acceptable sides for chili. Fritos, cheese and onions; and beer of course. Wed Oct 21 08:55:20 -0700 2009 5119331 1081531 drlee_susquespine 2 5120049 we also do beer cheese and saltines, celery, and carrots or pimento cheese Wed Oct 21 10:46:19 -0700 2009 5119692 11854 LaLa 2 5123566 I agree, Fritos rule when it comes to chili along with cheese, onion and sour cream. Thu Oct 22 14:46:48 -0700 2009 5119692 14445 swamp 1 5120001 I'm throwing the party( so its not really a pot luck per se), but we're asking other guests to bring an appetizer. I'll also be serving a bday cake( maybe a choc layer cake/w peanut butter filling). Coleslaw sounds good. I love vinegar based coleslaws but they're not the norm around here. There is a good coleslaw that costco carries, its from a deli in Montreal so maybe I'll pick some of that up. The chili is red but not too spicy. I was going to make a white chili too, still contemplating that. Wed Oct 21 10:35:29 -0700 2009 5119331 190009 Calipoutine 2 5120211 I like a salad/salsa made from chopped avocado, tomatoes, sweet onion or scallion, jicama if you can find it...little lime juice, s/p, ancho powder, cilantro...easy. Wed Oct 21 11:27:12 -0700 2009 5120001 11228 BeeZee 2 5121224 I love a coleslaw too that is vinegar based rather then mayo. Wed Oct 21 17:44:27 -0700 2009 5120001 49588 lexpatti 2 5122811 Yeah, I make a less spicy chili (shh don't tell anyone) as I've got a 7 year old who's moderately hot seasoning adverse. So even with a little spice the cool vinigar kick of slaww really sets off the warm spice of the chili. Since it's easy to do up the might before it's perfect for entertaining. Which is shy chili, cornbread muffins, slaw and cobbler are my go to party menu. They can all be done in advance, well, not the muffins, they are better fresh. And the chili prefers a crock pot and at least a day of "thinking" before it reaches optimal flavor. So most everything I need can be totally prepared, cooked and simply get reheated prior to party time. What's not to love. I concur with Drlee, frito pie is a real southern winner. Take fritos corn chips. Put chili on top. sprinkle with cheddar and fresh chopped onions. Very very good. To make it really old school (quite literally) use the small bags of fritos. Cut bag open on the long side of the bag. Spoon chili into bag on fritos. Top with cheese and onions. A little slice of memory served warm. Thu Oct 22 10:44:53 -0700 2009 5120001 1092553 aggiecat 3 5123102 reminds me friday night football games Thu Oct 22 12:09:34 -0700 2009 5122811 1081531 drlee_susquespine 1 5120582 you mention the limited kitchen at the party site. are there tables or will this be a lap-top affair? sometimes side dishes are determined by logistics not menu pairings. Wed Oct 21 13:27:35 -0700 2009 5119331 270283 silverhawk 2 5120652 Yep, there will be tables. I've rented the upstairs room at a meeting Hall. The hall has a kitchen, but we're not allowed to use it. Wed Oct 21 13:56:39 -0700 2009 5120582 190009 Calipoutine 1 5122616 It sounds like you already have a lot of good suggestions but , something rather easy to delegate is perhaps garlic bread. It's always nice with chili. Thu Oct 22 09:16:02 -0700 2009 5119331 11551 Apple 1 5123380 corn stuff, aka, corn casserole. a can of corn, drained a can of creamed corn a stick of butter, melted a little container of cream cheese (8oz. i think) an egg and a box of jiffy corn bread mix mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased pyrex (10x 14-ish). cook for about 45 minutes on 350. it is ALSO great with taco fixin's on top (sour cream, guac, cheese and salsa.) mmm mmmm good. Thu Oct 22 13:43:12 -0700 2009 5119331 266222 raygunclan 2 5123836 I make this all the time( have to buy the jiffy in MI as its not sold in Canada). But, I'm making Trader Joe's cornbread so dont want to make the above too. Thu Oct 22 16:52:21 -0700 2009 5123380 190009 Calipoutine 1 5123899 How about caesar salad? Thu Oct 22 17:06:46 -0700 2009 5119331 17319 Feed Me 1 5123978 If you're putting the chili in a crockpot, why can't you do the same for rice, if you want to serve it? It may not be the norm where you're going but you could set a new trend and may be actually welcome. I see nothing wrong with what you already plan to serve except that I agree that a green salad might be nice and either crackers or bread. I gather from your post that the chili is the main course, not the topping for something else so go with it! Thu Oct 22 17:42:37 -0700 2009 5119331 1108638 Cherylptw 1 5124780 My vote is for a Mexican slaw that is served around here, made with vinegar, cilantro, white onion, scallion, and jalapeno pepper. I can devour buckets ot this stuff. The crunchy texture will go great with chili. But yes to fresh salsa with avocado, and the rest. That would be delicious. Fri Oct 23 06:05:06 -0700 2009 5119331 50431 chef chicklet 1 5167484 Calipoutine: how did the chili-fest go? What did you end up serving? Mon Nov 09 11:13:29 -0800 2009 5119331 1092553 aggiecat