Dinner party dilemma: Which starter goes with chicken pie?

[MissMoiselle]

Hi all! Some advice needed and all suggestions welcome! Having a small lunch party and decided to make a creamy chicken/leek/sweetcorn pie for main as i can make most of it beforehand and pop it in the oven when guest arrive. Guests will bring dessert. They are big eaters so I'm thinking about having a starter as well but have no idea what goes with my chicken pie?
Help please!
(Note: we're not in the UK so no covid restrictions in my country of residence...)

[TeddyIsaHe]

If you’re going classic, a really good soup and delicious bread always goes down well.

[toomuchfaster]

What are you serving with the pie?

[MissMoiselle]

@TeddyIsaHe soup is a great idea! Maybe a velvety pumpkin soup?

[MissMoiselle]

@toomuchfaster rice as side dish and an "autumnal" salad of watercress, sliced apple, grapes & croutons. DH seems to think it's a lot of food already but the guests are big eaters and I don't want them to feel like there's not enough food

[HollowTalk]

That's going to be a really heavy meal with soup, bread, pie and dessert!

[MissMoiselle]

@HollowTalk yeah, my DH says the same. I asked what they were bringing for dessert but was told it's a surprise. So no idea if it's going to be a cheese board or cake...

[VanCleefArpels]

Smoked salmon blinis with pre lunch drinks. Seriously nothing carb heavy (and rice with a pie????)

[MissMoiselle]

Maybe some finger food or canapés instead of a starter? Just to nibble on something with a glass of wine before the meal?
Again, if anyone can give me any ideas, I'd be very grateful!

[MissMoiselle]

@VanCleefArpels am I committing a big faux pas with my rice?? we always have rice cause it's yummy with the creaminess of the pie. Should I do a different side dish?
The pie itself has chicken, ham, leek, sweetcorn and cream (and puff pastry).

[Onedropbeat]

Pate and French toast?

Go a bit retro with a prawn cocktail?

[SummerHouse]

Sorry to sidetrack op but have I read this right? Pie, rice and salad? This is not a combo I have ever encountered.

Pie sounds lovely though. You had me at pie.

[Deux]

Rice with pie?! .

[MissMoiselle]

@Onedropbeat I thought about chicken liver pate but thought that would be overkill with the chicken pie. Like the prawn cocktail idea though, it's not too heavy

[AdaColeman]

Melon or fresh figs with Parma (or your local version) ham.
Or
Pan fried scallops or prawns on wilted bitter leaves with a citrus dressing. Just a small portion per person.
Or
Fish mousse and toast.

[MissMoiselle]

@SummerHouse @Deux oh my! I'm gathering from a couple of pp that my side dishes are not ideal... eek! What side dishes do you recommend?

[Onedropbeat]

Yes I hadn’t thought about the double chicken element of pate

I love a prawn cocktail

Also love Parma ham/ melon / burratta type thing a PP mentioned

Deep fried Camembert with red currant dip?

[Pomegranatemolasses]

Yes, something like prawn cocktail, or maybe smoked salmon. Soup is not a good idea, too similar in texture to pie filling.

[iklboo]

Garlic mushrooms
Pate & sourdough toast
Baked Camembert
Charcuterie board

I've never had rice with pie - not something I'd eat but if you all like it there's no problem.

[MissMoiselle]

@AdaColeman mouthwatering suggestions!!!! Thank you so much! Fresh figs and Serrano Ham can even be turned into canapés we can have with drinks beforehand. Great suggestion, thank you!

[Deux]

[quote MissMoiselle]**@SummerHouse* @Deux* oh my! I'm gathering from a couple of pp that my side dishes are not ideal... eek! What side dishes do you recommend?[/quote]
Maybe you live in a hot place OP and rice is acceptable. Really don’t mean to offend.

I’m Scottish and can’t imagine serving anything other than potatoes of some kind and something like green beans/carrots.

That said MIL is forrin and would serve rice and salad.

[DannyGlickWindowTapping]

I'm doing something similar soon (restrictions allowing), and am having antipasti as a starter. I am also making parmesan shortbread "cookies" to go with drinks.

[AmandaHoldensLips]

Pie without MASH????
Don't ever say that in East London.
It will get you arrested.

[MissMoiselle]

A baked camembert and red currant dip as a shared starter could also be nice, thanks @iklboo and @Onedropbeat

[Onceuponatimethen]

I would go ham and figs

[VanCleefArpels]

So with pie I usually do just vegetables, but if you think you need something extra small boiled new potatoes. Salad definitely not, slightly weird (sorry!)