Sides for steak

[Thebloodynine]

I’ve got a friend coming out of hospital and will finally be well enough to eat full proper meals, and they’re desperate for a steak night with all the friends. They won’t be up for going to a restaurant so I’m cooking. I need some help as they very much feel that “the sides make the meal” so give me some amazing sides which go with steak.
I think I’ve got potatoes covered as I’m making potato dauphinois and Camembert mashed potatoes.
Also doing a garlic herb mushroom dish.
But I need some veggie sides, maybe another meat or seafood sides, I don’t know. Lettuce wedges of course!

So hit me with your suggestions and any fool proof recipes.

It's asparagus season...

Obsessed with steamed broccoli atm

Hope it goes well x

I wouldn’t do x2 potato dishes, the dauph is delicious on its own. Can’t beat asparagus or green beens with a steak..

You're a lovely friend. For me, I love mushrooms with steak, so it's good you have that covered. What about some tobacco onions for texture?

Roasted broccoli

My partner loves a small portion of mac & cheese with his steak.

Re. potatoes; I'd say chips were a more popular side with steak than dauphinoise or mash - but I'd be happy with all three!

Other things I've been served as a side at various times in my life:
Onion rings
Roasted tomatoes on vine
"surf" aka prawns/langoustines/lobster
Sauteed mushrooms
Corn on the cob
Roasted winter veg
Creamed cabbage

I think that steak is so versatile that you can't really go wrong.

The real dilemma is...what sauce are you choosing?!

Balsamic baby plum tomatoes! Yum. Or bigger tomatoes cut in half, roasted with Parmesan breadcrumbs sprinkled on top…

I know it’s a lot of potatoes, but I’m cooking for 9 and those are the two favourites so almost everyone will have their favourite covered and the other will enjoy either one so best two choices.

Veg or side dishes they are different things?

I assume chips if having steak. I don't get mash with steak unless you are doing gravy. Good veg would be asparagus, Cavolo Nero. Sides could be peas and endame with mint and silver skin onions, Greek salad,

We’re going with beef dripping gravy, peppercorn sauce and a blue cheese sauce thing.

I’m a veggie, but my carnivore sons and husband love creamed spinach with steak

Green beans or broccoli

Peas and chips with steak. And a grilled tomato and mushrooms if feeling fancy.

I’d never have potatoes with steak!

Also you are being a wonderful friend hosting a steak night!

• Asparagus
• I love Mac and cheese with mine, (I also love a baked potato with lashings of butter, salt and pepper if you were up for another potato side!)
• Onion rings
• Corn on the cob,
• garlicky mushrooms
• Roasted half tomatoes
• chips!

Ok now I need steak for dinner...

Lettuce wedges and dauphinoise potatoes is a really odd combination.

In fact, I’m intrigued generally by your “of course” re lettuce wedges. To accompany a steak I might go with a dark green leafy salad if the guests had requested a lighter meal, but a wedge of iceberg seems more suited to a prawn cocktail or something.

I prefer frites in the classic French steak frites style myself.

You know what chips are made of right?

Mac n cheese, roast asparagus and broccoli and Parmesan tomatoes are on the list! Thank you!
And garlic prawns, or maybe a chilli prawn thing.

Your potato dish and mushrooms are quite rich, as are your sauces so I would do roast or grilled tomatoes and something green and steamed (tenderstem or purple sprouting broccoli, or very fine green beans)

I love potato and celeriac mash.

Have you never been to Miller and Carter? The lettuce wedges is a big thing, it’s just a nice touch since they can’t actually manage going for a night out.

My fave side (with most things) is hispi cabbage stir fried with mushrooms and garlic. Closely followed by tenderstem broccoli. Would add peas and peppercorn sauce too if going all out.

• Rocket salad with some parmesan and toasted pine nuts ( I like Rocket mixed with steak juices!)
• Friend often serves a very garlicky roast chicken alongside steak (her kids arent big steak peeps) and it works v well actually
• Crusty baguette for the juices!

I like a big wedge of roast butternut squash.After cutting into wedges I score them, rub over with oil , season with salt & pepper and in the indents where you've scooped the seeds out add a couple of garlic cloves & roast until tender. They can be squeezed out over the top when cooked, or mix with melted butter and chopped parsley first, so delicious.

I absolutely love how much effort you're putting into this for your friends, Glad to hear they are out of hospital and can attend this glorious sounding event!

If they think the sides make the steak they're doing the steak wrong. I feel like it's a case of keep it simple for the sides. I like a baked potato and a salad with steak. The steak should be hung for at least 21 days and preferably be from a traditional British breed (Angus if you must but Beef Shorthorn or Hereford are better). It's out of fashion but marinating the steak can improve flavour then cook on a high heat and obviously don't overcook. Steak should be rare.