What is a side dish?

A side dish is a dish that accompanies a main course, providing a contrast in flavor, texture, and/or color. It's typically served alongside the main dish, and can be either hot or cold.

Here are some key features of side dishes:

* Complementary to the main course: They enhance the overall dining experience by offering different flavors and textures to balance the main dish.

* Smaller portion size: Side dishes are typically smaller than the main course.

* Wide variety of options: From salads and vegetables to starches and grains, there's a vast array of side dishes to choose from.

Examples of Side Dishes:

* Salads: Green salads, potato salad, coleslaw

* Vegetables: Roasted vegetables, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes

* Starches: Rice, pasta, couscous, bread

* Other: Fruit salad, dips and spreads, pickled vegetables

Purpose of Side Dishes:

* Add variety and balance: They introduce different flavors, textures, and colors to the meal.

* Provide nutritional value: Side dishes often offer a source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

* Enhance the dining experience: They make the meal more satisfying and complete.

Side dishes are an essential part of many meals, offering a way to round out the dining experience and add variety to the plate.