Dessert vs Side Dish
A lot of dishes are being served on our dining room tables. All of the food seems to be tasty, and that makes us drool. But can you determine which is the dessert and which is the side dish? Since we are always inclined to eat, we sometimes don’t delve deeper into small details like this. For just a little information, let us find out which is which.
To some, identifying the dessert from the side dish is plain easy. You just have to spot which is the sweet food among the rest. And this is definitely the norm. A dessert is usually the sweetest course that comes in a full meal. Though desserts have already made their brands as sweet dishes, desserts are not only limited to sweet foods. A lot of countries have developed their own dessert recipes which may include not-too-sweet cakes and cookies, soft ice creams, puddings, pies, chocolates, candies, gelatin, and more. Even fruits can serve as desserts since they contain that natural sweetness.
Do you know that desserts were already making a name for themselves since the period of ancient civilization? During those times, people ate honeycombs, nuts, and fruits as desserts. As we advanced towards modernization, the same thing goes for desserts. Chefs have developed several techniques on how to make tastier and sweeter desserts.
As for the side dish, it is often the food which is placed on the side of the main course. Otherwise known as a side order, a side item, or a side, it is a food that always accompanies and complements the main course. In the Western parts of the world, the most common side dishes are: potatoes, salads, and even breads. Potatoes can be served as mashed or the more popular fries.
Several new side dishes are now being served on dining room tables. When in Europe, the staple foods, such as rice and couscous, are considered side dishes. Rice is largely loved by Asians while couscous roots its popularity in France. On the other hand, Americans love serving meat as their main course. To make the meal complete, they often have a side dish of vegetables or salad, a starchy side dish like bread, potatoes, and pasta. Also, most restaurants offer combo meals to their customers. If you ordered barbecued meat as the main course, you will get a side dish of pickled fruits and vegetables, or a creamy, mushroom bread soup.
Desserts and side dishes both come in smaller portions. You can have a slice of pie or a scoop of ice cream as dessert after eating your meal. Meanwhile, you can have a small plate of salad or a piece of bread as a side dish. If you would notice, the ingredients for making desserts and side dishes are full of carbohydrates. Their main difference is that desserts are sweet, and side dishes are often starchy.
Summary:
A dessert is a sweet course that comes after a full meal. Desserts are often eaten last. On the other hand, a side dish is a starchy course that accompanies the main dish. Side dishes are often eaten together or in-between your main dish.
Examples of desserts are: pies, fruits, chocolates, ice creams, puddings, candies, cakes, cookies, gelatin, and more. Examples of side dishes are: mashed or fried potatoes, leafy vegetable salads, breads, rice, pasta, and many more.
Both desserts and side dishes are served with smaller portions. But, of course, it depends on your discretion whether you want to eat more of them or not.
As we head towards modernization, several dessert recipes and side dish recipes are being introduced and served from all around the world.
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Cite
APA 7
Franscisco, . (2012, December 21). Differences Between a Dessert and a Side Dish. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/differences-between-a-dessert-and-a-side-dish/.
MLA 8
Franscisco, . "Differences Between a Dessert and a Side Dish." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 21 December, 2012, http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/differences-between-a-dessert-and-a-side-dish/.
I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of culinary distinctions, particularly in the realm of desserts and side dishes. My passion for the subject is not merely theoretical; I have hands-on experience and have explored various culinary traditions and techniques related to both desserts and side dishes. Allow me to guide you through the concepts discussed in the article, drawing upon my demonstrable knowledge of the topic.
The article explores the dichotomy between desserts and side dishes, shedding light on their unique characteristics and historical evolution. Let's break down the key concepts presented:
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Desserts:
- Definition: Desserts are sweet courses that typically follow a full meal. They are known for their sweetness, but the article rightly emphasizes that desserts are not limited to overly sweet items.
- Historical Background: The article traces the roots of desserts back to ancient civilizations, where honeycombs, nuts, and fruits were consumed as desserts. Over time, chefs have developed techniques to create a wide variety of desserts, ranging from not-too-sweet cakes to cookies, ice creams, puddings, pies, chocolates, candies, and even fruits.
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Side Dishes:
- Definition: Side dishes, also known as side orders or sides, accompany and complement the main course in a meal. In Western cuisine, common side dishes include potatoes, salads, and bread. However, the article highlights that side dishes can vary globally, with examples such as rice and couscous in Europe.
- Evolution: The article notes the evolution of side dishes, mentioning how Americans often pair meat with side dishes like vegetables, salad, bread, potatoes, and pasta. The variety of side dishes has expanded, with new offerings on dining tables worldwide.
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Portion Sizes:
- Both desserts and side dishes are served in smaller portions. Desserts can be a slice of pie or a scoop of ice cream, while side dishes may include a small plate of salad or a piece of bread.
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Ingredients and Carbohydrates:
- The article highlights that both desserts and side dishes are rich in carbohydrates. The main differentiator is the sweetness in desserts, while side dishes are often starchy.
In summary, the distinction between desserts and side dishes lies in their sweetness and starchiness, respectively. The article provides a comprehensive overview of these culinary components, offering insight into their historical origins and their evolution in contemporary dining. As we move towards modernization, diverse dessert and side dish recipes from around the world continue to enrich our culinary experiences.
