When planning a meal, much of the focus tends to go onto the main part of the dish. Side dishes tend to fall by the wayside a little; they’re planned for and enjoyed, but they just don’t receive quite as much attention as the central star of the show.
However, side dishes are an incredibly important part of an overall meal. They allow extra flavors and textures to be added, but without needing to detract from the main focus of the meal – a role that is vital, and really adds to the overall eating experience. So, in this piece, we’ve decided to celebrate the sides, and find recipes for incredible options you will definitely want to try.
1) Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
Potatoes (in various shapes and forms) feature in a wide variety of different side dish options from around the world, so narrowing down the selection to just one was always going to be a big ask – but this creamy au gratin potatoes recipe is definitely a winner. Combining perfectly with any meat, though honey mustard chicken or roast beef with these potatoes as a side should be a match made in heaven.
2) Southern Collard Greens
Rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and manganese, there’s no doubt that collard greens are a great inclusion in your diet, and this Southern collard greens recipe is a great way to combine the great nutrition with a classic, undeniably-delicious taste. The dish is relatively straightforward to make, and will taste amazing as a side to favorites such as mac and cheese, pulled pork, jambalaya, meatloaf, and almost anything else you might like to try them with!
3) Garlic Butter Mushrooms
A classic side dish, but one that – regardless of how many times you’ve tried it in the past – you’ll always want to come back time and time again. This gorgeous garlic butter mushroom recipe is very simple and easy to make, so it is an ideal choice for those weekday evenings when you want a quick side, but no less tasty for its speed. When it comes to combining it with a main, the choice is largely yours, but the garlic should work particularly well with beef, lamb, and other red meats.
4) Cashew Rice
Finally, no list of side dishes would be complete without a rice option, and this cashew rice recipe really stands out from the rest. The cashews add a sense of sweetness to the dish that is enjoyable without becoming overpowering, and works in perfect harmony with the rice and other flavors. Cashew rice can work well with almost any meal, but the interesting cashew flavors work especially well with light meals featuring chicken or duck, and especially if Chinese or Thai flavors are also incorporated into the overall dish.
All of the recipes above are fantastic side dishes that can really finish a meal off to perfection – and can even be a perfect snack all by themselves if you wish!
Which do you think you might be tempted to try first?
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