Any suggestions for what to serve with Fruited Chicken Pasta Salad?

[YorkieMom]

I'm having some friends over for a light lunch and wanted to serve a fruited chicken pasta salad with dinner rolls. I'm stumped though whether I should serve something else with it. For dessert, I was thinking of trying the mocha truffle cookies that have been posted on this BB, but I can't settle on what to serve with the pasta salad. It's kind of sweet because it has mandarin oranges in it. Would you think maybe a side salad, or what about a potato soup? Neither sounds really right. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[zackaboo]

I would probably serve alongside a mixed green salad with savory components to counter the sweet in the pasta salad. Maybe something simple like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette. The green would probably make the whole meal more visually appealing too.

[sfarler]

How about instead of dinner rolls, serve some kind of mini sandwich. Like this one (from Epicurious):

mini ham sandwiches

These are the best mini ham sandwiches I have ever tasted ... DELICIOUS!!!

Submitted by scottws22
November 6, 2006

1 Bag Pepperidge Farm Party Rolls (24 per bag)
Deli Ham thinly sliced
Swiss cheese
Red pepper jelly
2 Tbsp chopped onion
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp honey mustard
1 Tbsp melted butter
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/4 - 1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper

Split the whole layer of rolls with a serrated knife. Spread bottom with a layer of red pepper jelly. Top with a layer of ham & swiss cheese slices.
Mix onion, brown sugar, honey mustard, melted butter, curry and red pepper. Spread over top of the Swiss cheese. Wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Cut into individual sandwiches.