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It's Spring! Pick Your Seasonal Sides...

It's Spring! Pick Your Seasonal Sides...

Spring Sides to Brighten Your Pie Plate 🌱🥧

Light, fresh sides for the new season

Spring has officially sprung - which means it’s time to swap the heavy winter mash for something a little lighter, greener, and fresher on the side of your pie.

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you ditch the gravy. But with asparagus, peas, radishes, carrots and leeks all coming into season, spring is the perfect time to add a bit of colour and crunch to your plate.

Here are a few fresh spring sides that pair beautifully with some of our Chunk classics.

🥓 Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie

Side: Lemon Butter Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the stars of the British spring vegetable season, with its short harvest window usually running from April to June. Its fresh, slightly grassy flavour cuts beautifully through the richness of chicken and bacon.

Simple Lemon Butter Asparagus

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • Zest of ½ lemon

  • Squeeze of lemon juice

  • Salt & pepper

Method

  1. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus.

  2. Heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat.

  3. Add asparagus and cook for 3–4 minutes until just tender.

  4. Finish with lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper.

Fresh, simple, and perfect alongside a creamy pie.

🌿 Chicken, Mushroom & Tarragon Pie

Side: Pea, Radish & Herb Salad

Sweet peas and peppery radishes bring brightness to this comforting pie. The herbs mirror the fresh flavour of tarragon in the filling.

Pea & Radish Spring Salad

Ingredients

  • 150g peas (fresh or frozen)

  • 6–8 radishes, thinly sliced

  • Small handful mint or parsley

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp white wine vinegar

  • Salt & pepper

Method

  1. Blanch peas for 1–2 minutes and cool under cold water.

  2. Toss with radishes and chopped herbs.

  3. Dress with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Light, crunchy and very spring.

🍺 Steak & Ale Pie

Side: Honey Roasted Spring Carrots

Steak & ale is a rich classic - so roasted carrots bring sweetness and colour without weighing things down.

Simply roast whole carrots with olive oil, honey and thyme at 200°C for 20-25 minutes until caramelised.

A spoonful of mustard or horseradish alongside doesn’t hurt either.

🧀 Steak, Stilton & Mushroom Pie

Side: Charred Tender stem Broccoli & Lemon

The punchy flavour of stilton works brilliantly with something slightly bitter and fresh.

Quickly char Tender stem broccoli in a hot pan or under the grill, then finish with:

  • Lemon juice

  • Olive oil

  • Sea salt

Simple, sharp, and exactly what a rich pie needs.

🥩 Steak & Kidney Pie

Side: Buttered Spring Greens with Garlic

This proper British pie deserves a proper British veg side.

Lightly sauté spring greens or cabbage with butter and garlic until just wilted. Finish with cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

It keeps the dish traditional - but fresher.

🧀 Homity Pie

Side: Pickled Radish & Apple Slaw

Homity Pie already celebrates vegetables, potatoes and onions, so a bright, crunchy slaw lifts the whole plate.

Mix together:

  • Thinly sliced radishes

  • Julienned apple

  • A spoon of cider vinegar

  • A drizzle of honey

  • Salt and pepper

Sweet, sharp and refreshing.

🌶 Kickin’ Chicken Pie

Side: Pea & Lime Rice

For something with a bit of spice, a fresh rice side works beautifully.

Cook basmati rice, then toss through:

  • Peas

  • Lime zest and juice

  • Chopped coriander

It’s bright, herby and balances the heat nicely.

🍄 Mushroom Stroganott Pie

Side: Dill Cucumber Salad

The creamy stroganoff-style filling pairs perfectly with something crisp and tangy.

Thinly slice cucumber and mix with:

  • Sour cream or yoghurt

  • Fresh dill

  • White wine vinegar

  • Salt & pepper

It’s fresh, cooling, and very easy to throw together.

Spring on a Plate

The beauty of spring cooking is that it’s simple, colourful and full of fresh flavours. A handful of seasonal vegetables can turn a comforting pie into something that feels bright and balanced rather than heavy.

So next time you’re putting a pie in the oven, try swapping the winter sides for something greener.

Go on - Take a Chunk!

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