Sides enhance and elevate your meals. I recommend keeping a small herbal garden on hand to add fresh flavors to your dishes. I usually have basil, oregano, mint, and parsley. Basil and oregano are great for Italian meals, while mint makes a lovely tea with honey. Parsley is versatile and works in a variety of dishes like eggs, tofu, soups, salads, and more.

If you have space, try growing your own herbs. Even if it doesn’t go perfectly at first, you’ll learn a lot and can try again. There are plenty of resources online for gardening, whether above ground or in a greenhouse. I’ve planted Yellow Finn potatoes for their creamy texture and sweet potatoes, which sprouted on their own. Just be sure to buy non-GMO seed potatoes, as grocery store ones are often treated with growth inhibitors.

Below are all the side and sauce recipes to complement your meals.