Peruvian Causa Is the Ultimate Potluck Casserole — seriouseats.com

If there’s one dish that most Americans really should know but don't, it’s causa. It’s everything Americans love—mashed potatoes, tuna (or chicken, or some similar) salad, and potato salad—all compressed into one easy make-ahead casserole. It could be the ultimate all-American potluck dish, except that it’s entirely Peruvian. I first learned of causa many years ago when a Peruvian cook I worked with named Felipe would sometimes make it for the staff. Years later I took a trip to Peru and ate several examples of it there. What becomes clear about causa after eating it just a few times is that it can come in many forms, but a few features are constant: causa is always served cold; causa always features a top and bottom layer of mashed potatoes that are seasoned with lime juice and aji amarillo (a spicy Peruvian chili pepper); and causa always contains a mayonnaise-y salad.

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