Seven sides we couldn't live without
Main meals can feel seriously naked without these important accompaniments. Why not try making your own rather than buying them from a store?
There are certain dishes that just aren't complete without a partner. We've picked five of our fave sides, and given suggestions of what to serve them with.
Coleslaw
Pictured above, this crunchy coleslaw is the partner of choice for barbecued meats. Stuff it in a bap alongside fresh-from-the-grill chicken breast, or as an accompaniment to ribs.
You can add pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for extra crunch. Quickly toast them if you have time, but they add a great rich flavour either way. Or try it with other nuts, as suggested in the recipe comments. It's such a quick and easy recipe, you'll have plenty of time to add additional ingredients and experiment.
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Spicy potato wedges
Potato wedges are arguably much more satisfying than their skinnier counterparts, and match up with steak perfectly. The crunch of the outside is balanced by the soft and fluffy interior, and they simply soak up the flavour when roasted with onions or shallots in a little oil.
The seasoning makes all the difference too. This recipe suggests using cajun-style spices but you could also opt for a touch of miso-tamarind among numerous other options.
I would suggest dusting them lightly with chipotle, cayenne and paprika prior to roasting them with diced shallots for a smoky and hot flavour.
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Chips
OK, potato wedges are all very well and good, but sometimes you need chips. Real, proper, crunchy chips with soft fluffy innards, and a splat of ketchup on the side of your plate.
Kate Gibbs makes her herby chips with a scattering of rosemary, parsley, chilli flakes and fresh garlic cloves.
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Hummus
You can dip nearly anything into hummus and be pleased with the result. Crackers, chips, carrot sticks – all great.
Here we have three types of hummus that have each been flavoured with extra ingredients: carrot, beetroot and broad bean.
If you're looking for something plainer, try this recipe for plain hummus. Or if you're after something even more out of the ordinary, how about salmon hummus?
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Olives straight from brine are delicious enough on their own, and are the perfect appetiser or side to many Mediterranean dishes, particularly pasta or oily fish.
But with just a little prep time and 24 hours warning, you can make a big pot of olives marinated in oregano and chilli – perfect for dinner parties.
Alternatively, try mixing some large green olives with capers, small cubes of feta cheese, thyme, rosemary, oregano and a little olive oil, and leave to marinade in an airtight container in the fridge.
The result should be incredibly moreish... don't expect them to last long!
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Potato salad
A party staple, potato salad is good all year round, from summer barbecues to a filling cold winter pair-up with a warming stew.
This Polish potato salad calls for dill, sweet pickled cucumbers and sour cream, a quick twist on the classic we all know well. It goes well with some green salad leaves and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Read some top tips on how to make the perfect potato salad here.
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Bhajis
A curry without bhajis or poppadoms feels very lonely. Bhajis are really easy to make, and this recipe pairs them with a colourful homemade tomato chutney.
If you want to try something different, we also have recipes for potato bhajis and if you want to make bhajis into a filling meal on their own, why not try these courgette bhaji wraps?
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