Well now, if you’re cookin’ up a big pot o’ Beef Bourguignon, y’know you’re gonna need some good ol’ side dishes to go with it. I mean, a meal like that, all rich and hearty, you can’t just have it by itself. Nah, that ain’t right! You gotta think ‘bout what else to put on that table to make it all come together. Let me tell you a few ideas that I’ve tried, and some that I’ve seen others make. Trust me, it’ll make your meal sing!
Boiled Baby Potatoes
First thing I’d recommend is some boiled baby potatoes. They’re nice ‘n simple, but boy do they pair well with that rich beef stew! Just take ‘em, wash ‘em up real good, then toss ‘em in a pot of boiling water. Cook ‘em ‘til they’re soft, but not mushy. Don’t forget to salt the water. When they’re done, you can throw a little butter on top, or maybe even some fresh herbs if you like. They soak up all that juice from the beef, and it just melts in your mouth. Can’t go wrong with that!
Mashed Potatoes
Now, if you’re wantin’ somethin’ a bit creamier, mashed potatoes is the way to go. I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout them instant ones that come in a box, neither! I mean the real deal, with butter, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can mash ‘em nice and smooth or leave ‘em a little lumpy if you’re feelin’ lazy—no judgment here! Just make sure they’re nice and creamy, so they can soak up all the gravy from that Beef Bourguignon.
Buttered Egg Noodles
If you ask me, egg noodles go great with any kind of stew. You boil ‘em up, drain ‘em, and then toss ‘em with a bit of butter. Nothing fancy. Just a little salt and pepper, and maybe some parsley if you got it. The noodles are good at soakin’ up the sauce, so they make a perfect match with the beef. I like ‘em ‘cause they don’t take too long to cook, and they won’t steal the show from the main dish. They just do their job, ya know?
Gratin Dauphinois
Now, if you’re lookin’ to impress, you might want to try a Gratin Dauphinois. I’ll tell ya, it’s a bit more work, but it’s worth it. It’s got them thinly sliced potatoes baked with cream and cheese—just the thought of it makes my mouth water. The creaminess pairs so well with the rich beef stew. It’s a dish for when you’ve got company, or when you just wanna treat yourself to somethin’ special. Don’t be shy with the cheese, either—go ahead and add a little extra on top for a crispy, golden finish.
White Rice
If you’re not in the mood for potatoes or noodles, white rice can be a simple and good choice. It’s soft, fluffy, and can be served under that beef stew to soak up all that delicious gravy. You just boil it up in some water with a pinch of salt, and you’re done! Rice may be plain, but it does a good job holdin’ everything together, ‘specially when you got a flavorful dish like Beef Bourguignon to pour over it.
Polenta
Another side dish I like to make is polenta. Now, it’s a little different, but it sure works well. You boil up the cornmeal until it thickens, then add butter and cheese. It’s soft and a little sweet, which balances out the rich flavors of the beef. You can serve it creamy or let it firm up a bit, depending on how you like it. Either way, it’s a nice twist on the regular mashed potatoes or noodles.
Green Beans Almondine
If you want something a bit lighter, you can always serve up some green beans almondine. Just steam or blanch the green beans, then toss ‘em with a bit of butter and some sliced almonds. It’s a nice, crunchy contrast to the soft beef stew, and the almonds add a bit of flavor and texture that goes really well with the meal. Plus, the green beans give ya that fresh, crisp taste that balances out all that richness from the Beef Bourguignon.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are another good side to go with this. They’re sweet, and they’ve got that nice little pop when you bite into ‘em. You can steam ‘em or boil ‘em up, and then just toss ‘em in a little butter. If you’ve got fresh peas, even better! They add a little sweetness that cuts through the heaviness of the beef. I like ‘em with a dash of salt and a sprinkle of pepper, just enough to bring out that flavor.
Something Light for Starters
Now, don’t forget ‘bout the starters! A big, hearty dish like Beef Bourguignon needs something light to balance it out. I’d say stick to crudites—some raw veggies with a nice dip. Maybe some hummus, baba ghanoush, or even a little tzatziki sauce. Ain’t nothin’ too heavy, just somethin’ to open up your appetite before the big meal. It’s all about balance, right?
Conclusion
So, there you go! A good Beef Bourguignon is gonna need some good sides to go with it. Whether you go for mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or something fancier like a Gratin Dauphinois, just make sure you’ve got enough to soak up all that delicious gravy. And don’t forget to throw in some veggies to balance it out. With these sides, you’ll have a meal that’ll make everybody at the table happy. Now, go ahead and get cookin’—you won’t regret it!
Tags：[side dishes, beef bourguignon, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, gratin dauphinois, white rice, polenta, green beans almondine, sweet peas, starters, crudites, hummus]
