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Sides can make or break a meal or celebration. Tasty sides can elevate any meal or make any party much more enjoyable, but bad ones can leave things feeling flat and your guests feeling disappointed.

That being the case, let’s take a cook at some sides that are sure to blow your guests away no matter what you are eating.

Bacon and sage mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is a popular dish in its own right, but if you want it to steal the show as a side to dishes as diverse as pulled pork and meatloaf, then you are going to want to add fresh sage and bacon, as well as a crumb made from homemade bread, to really turn this classic comfort food into high cuisine. 

Homemade hummus and pitta

If there is one side that is sure to go down well at any party, then it is this homemade pita bread, served with fresh, delicious hummus. Great for casual parties alongside chips or dips, or as part of a bigger meal with falafels, salad, and carrot fries, for example, this Middle Eastern side combo is sure to steal the show, and it’s so easy to make too.

Baked brie with sourdough croutons

Sides don’t come as simple, or as decadent as gooey, rich baked brie. Simply take a whole brie, score the top portion, and fill with minced garlic and rosemary before baking until gooey. Serve up with homemade sourdough croutons for a taste sensation no one will be able to resist. It’s so effortless, you’ll be amazed at how good it is!

Chickpea and rice salad

If you’re looking for a healthy side to cook up alongside your favorite meat dishes, then you simply cannot go wrong with a chickpea and rice salad. Combine cooked rice with chickpeas, sweet potato chorizo, and broad beans and dress with olive oil, lemon, cumin, and chili, maybe a little bit of fresh mint too, for a complex salad that goes with anything, or which you can enjoy on its own.

Herby potatoes and green beans

Boil some chat potatoes until tender and then toss them in a mixture of butter, garlic, lemon zest, chives, and rosemary, along with some hot green beans (most beans will work well), and serve immediately for a hot, comforting, yet surprisingly refreshing, side.

Sweet potato fries

Cut sweet potatoes into small fries and toss with olive oil, sea salt, dried chili flakes, coriander and fennel seeds and a handful of sesame seeds and bake until crispy. Serve with a lemon juice and yogurt dip for a spicy, sweet and slightly tart side that you can serve up with burgers, chicken, sloppy Joes, and just about anything else you can think of that needs a kick.

Serve up any of these sides with your meals, or as part of a party buffet, and you can be sure that everyone will fall in love with them, and you will be the most popular person at any gathering!