What to serve with Game PIe

[kitchenplans]

I'm hosting a few people in a couple of weeks for a late lunch before heading out for a low effort outside activity at about 4pm ish. I'm planning to do a game pie (of the served hot variety as opposed to the served cold variety).

Some questions -

1. What would you serve with it? Mash seems obvious, but personally I don't like it (but I could happily skip pots altogether and others could have mash), or would roasties be OK? And maybe roast root veg and a steamed green veg of some kind? Or maybe creamed leeks? And of course, gravy and redcurrant jelly.
2. What kind of pastry would you use? Just in a dish with a puff lid, or shortcrust top and bottom (possibly with lattice top?)
3. We'll be back from the activity at about 8pm, so I'm planning on doing a hearty hot pud for when we get home - most likely some kind of crumble - would splitting a heavy meal like this work for you, or would you want another proper meal in the evening?

There's no vegetarians, no dietary requirements and game pie is probably quite in keeping with the outdoor activity (a Wassail if anyone is interested!), and I think will go down well with this group of friends.

1. I’ve served game pie with a Jerusalem artichoke mash before (basically 50/50 potatoes and artichokes) which was good.
2. Definitely puff pastry top.
3. Do cheese board as well as pudding so hungry people can eat that if pudding not sufficient.

• I don't need pots with a pie but my DD and DH think they are essential. Mash ideally as the texture works best with pie, not roast, you don't want the crunch with the pie crust.
• many people think a pie is only a pie when it has pastry top and bottom! Stew with a pastry disk does not equal pie. Either shortcrust all round or shortcrust bottom and puff top.
• definitely generous green veg to balance the richness of the pie. Cabbage, broccoli, leeks. Possibly roasted carrots too.
• I wouldn't usually do a heavy pud after a pie but given the break, I think it would be nice. Crumble or STP ideal.
• PP's suggestion of adding a cheeseboard for grazing later is excellent.

I'd prefer some kind of mash for mopping up the lovely pie juices but would be just as happy with root veg mash.

Definitely green veg to balance the richness of the pie - I'd do steamed cavolo nero dressed with lemon juice and black pepper.

A pie without a pastry base isn't a pie - it's sadness with a hat on.

Thank you!

I'm now thinking game pie with celeriac mash, roast carrots and parsnips, creamed leeks and kale. Maybe potato mash too. Braised red cabbage also a possibility. I'll serve it all family style, so people can pick and choose the veg they prefer.

Game pie with shortcrust bottom and puff top.

Served with redcurrant jelly and pouring gravy.

Back home to crumble and custard and a cheeseboard of British cheeses (I'm thinking Stilton, a mature Cheddar and maybe Cornish Yarg.)

I think your menu sounds lovely.

I'm personally not big on potatoes with pie - pie and veg with gravy is enough for me. But I know for some that potato is essential. I'd probably do mash if you think you'll have anyone who will need that in additional to the celeriac.

I'd be so pleased with creamed leeks - you remind me that I have leeks growing that I should make into something tasty!

I'm more of a shortcrust pie person - bottom and top, of course - but again, depends on your crowd. Crumble and cheese board sounds delicious.

What about game chips?

A pie is only a pie if its got pastry all the way round. Otherwise its stew with a pastry lid. Obviously Shepherds Pie is an exception!

Personally I wouldn’t do a crumble as basically crumble is non-squashed pastry so v similar to pie.

I might do a steamed sponge pud (ginger, syrup or apple) or sticky toffee pudding. Or baked apples with cream or custard. Or trifle. Also a fruit salad and an ice cream option.

Your pie sounds gorgeous!

Sounds absolutely delicious. Family style definitely the way to go.
I would add a soft cheese too!

Sounds a great menu. I’m clearly in the minority with puff pastry!

We do game pies a lot in the winter. Personally celeriac mash and red cabbage would be delightful. I couldn't manage crumble as well. So I do marinated berry fruits in sloe gin in meringue nests. But my OH would always go for crumble being greedy.

Yum, I'll come if there's spare. I love puff pastry, but think shortcrust probably works better. You could definitely miss the spuds and go for lots of other roasted roots, with maybe broccoli or something green?
Crumble, especially rhubarb, and posh vanilla custard would be my preference, but maybe something like a warm apple tart would be slightly lighter?

Sounds delicious, can I be your friend please 😋

Oh my! PLEASE invite me 😀🤩