Side dishes are incredible! Most people ignore the importance and the healthy benefits that side dishes bring. The best side dishes take little time to prepare and are loaded with health and nutrition benefits. Not to mention the added taste and flavor to your meal that comes with side dishes.
Choosing a suitable side dish is what should be done carefully.
- A great way to gradually consume more fruits and vegetables is to serve them with one or two side dishes.
- There are more nutrients and fiber in fruits and vegetables and fewer empty calories.
- Making a salad can be effortlessly done in minutes and will help you use produce before it spoils.
- After you have chopped the vegetables, roasting them doesn’t require much handling, so you can prepare other dishes while the vegetables cook.
But why is there so much fuss around side dishes? Are they that important?
What Are Side Dishes and Why are They Important?
Any dish that goes well with the main course is called a side dish. The exact nature of it varies greatly; they range from steamed vegetables to complex goulashes. The side dishes vary in the flavor of the meal.
When you order a main dish, most restaurants offer a variety of side dishes, and the nature of each side dish varies greatly. Steamed vegetables or pea soup are two examples of these dishes.
How to Make a Side Dish That Complements the Main Meal?
Following are some great ways to prepare the side dishes that match your main meals:
- Think out of the Box
Consider your main dish and choose something different when selecting a side dish. When making pasta, choose a simple vegetable; when making steak, choose something light.
- Choose According to the Season
Go for seasonal veggies and fruits. Choose warmer vegetables and roasted stuff in winter while adding more fruity side dishes in summer.
- Twin with the Main Dish
When making a side dish, it’s best to pick a theme and stick with it until dinner. For instance, you can add lemon juice to a plate of mixed greens while making lemon chicken to brighten the dinner. This also applies to how to cook, as you want to overuse the oven sparingly by cooking three meals at a time.
- When in Doubt, Make Salads
If you can’t decide which side dish to incorporate into your meal, go for the easy-on-the-eyes green salad. Salads complement almost every meal, such as pasta, steak, or meat, while adding healthy and essential nutrients to your diet.
Creative Ways to Include Side Dishes in Your Meals
Here are a few ways if you are looking for some unique and fabulous ideas to add side dishes to your meals:
- For lunch, pack a salad to go with your sandwich.
- Make some fresh roasted vegetables or buy some.
- Make vegetable soups by heating them. Put them in a mug that can be taken on the go for a quick side dish!
- For a quick and easy side, sauté some vegetables in a bit of broth.
- Serve some steamed broccoli with dinner.
- Add a banana or apple to your carry-on lunch.
- For a simple side dish that doesn’t require extra preparation or equipment, roast some apples with your pork.
Up Your Side Dish Game Now!
Nutrition and taste don’t come in black and white. You should always consider creative ways to incorporate nutritious and fantastic side dishes that complement your meal while adding vibrancy to your dinner table. And for all the fussy eaters out there, side dishes are great for satisfying your taste buds and giving you that extra flavor!
