feat(meals): suggest complementary sides

backend/app/api/llm_plan.py

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ from app.config import settings
 from app.database import get_db
 from app.models import FamilyProfile, MealPlan, MealPlanItem, MealType, Recipe
 from app.security import require_session
+from app.services.meal_pairings import components_with_suggested_sides
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -257,6 +258,10 @@ def synthesize_plan(
     raw_picks = _parse_picks(raw or "")
     valid_recipe_ids = {r["id"] for r in library}
     picks = _validate_picks(raw_picks, valid_recipe_ids)
+    recipe_by_id = {
+        str(r.id): r
+        for r in db.query(Recipe).filter(Recipe.id.in_([uuid.UUID(rid) for rid in valid_recipe_ids])).all()
+    }
     logger.info(
         "LLM plan: prompt=%d chars, raw_picks=%d, valid_picks=%d",
         len(payload.prompt), len(raw_picks), len(picks),
@@ -279,6 +284,10 @@ def synthesize_plan(
             recipe_id=uuid.UUID(pick.recipe_id),
             day_of_week=pick.day_of_week,
             meal_type=MealType(pick.meal_type),
+            components=components_with_suggested_sides(
+                recipe_by_id.get(pick.recipe_id),
+                pick.meal_type,
+            ),
         ))
     db.flush()
 
@@ -310,6 +319,10 @@ def synthesize_plan(
                 recipe_id=uuid.UUID(chosen["id"]),
                 day_of_week=day,
                 meal_type=MealType(mt),
+                components=components_with_suggested_sides(
+                    recipe_by_id.get(chosen["id"]),
+                    mt,
+                ),
             ))
             used_recipe_ids.add(uuid.UUID(chosen["id"]))
             filled_count += 1

backend/app/api/meal_plans.py

@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ admin_router = APIRouter(
 public_router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/meal-plans", tags=["meal-plans"])
 
 
+def _components_payload(components: dict | None) -> dict:
+    return dict(components or {})
+
+
 def _to_response(week_start, plan_id, items: List[MealPlanItem], result: GenerationResult) -> GenerationResponse:
     item_payloads: List[GenerationItem] = []
     score_by_recipe = {s.recipe_id: s for s in result.selected}
@@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ def _to_response(week_start, plan_id, items: List[MealPlanItem], result: Generat
                 day_of_week=it.day_of_week,
                 estimated_cost=it.estimated_cost or 0,
                 score=scored.score if scored else 0.0,
-                components={k: float(v) for k, v in (scored.components.items() if scored else [])},
+                components=_components_payload(it.components or (scored.components if scored else None)),
             )
         )
     return GenerationResponse(
@@ -135,7 +139,7 @@ def get_plan(plan_id: UUID, db: Session = Depends(get_db)) -> GenerationResponse
                 day_of_week=it.day_of_week,
                 estimated_cost=it.estimated_cost or 0,
                 score=it.score or 0.0,
-                components={k: float(v) for k, v in (it.components.items() if it.components else [])},
+                components=_components_payload(it.components),
             )
             for it in items
         ],

backend/app/api/meals.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from app.schemas import (
 from app.security import require_session
 from app.services import approval as approval_service
 from app.services.feedback_analyzer import FeedbackAnalyzer
+from app.services.meal_pairings import components_with_suggested_sides
 from uuid import UUID
 from typing import List, Optional
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
@@ -683,6 +684,7 @@ def generate_single_item(
         day_of_week=day_of_week,
         meal_type=MealType[meal_type.upper()],
         approval_status=MealPlanItemStatus.pending,
+        components=components_with_suggested_sides(recipe, meal_type),
     )
     db.add(new_item)
     db.commit()
@@ -769,6 +771,7 @@ def fill_empty_slots(
                 day_of_week=day,
                 meal_type=MealType[mt.upper()],
                 approval_status=MealPlanItemStatus.pending,
+                components=components_with_suggested_sides(recipe, mt),
             )
             db.add(new_item)
             try:

backend/app/schemas/__init__.py

@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class MealPlanItemResponse(MealPlanItemBase):
     denial_expires_at: Optional[datetime] = None
     used_pantry_items: Optional[List[UUID]] = []
     score: Optional[float] = None
-    components: Optional[Dict[str, float]] = None
+    components: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
     created_at: Optional[datetime] = None
     updated_at: Optional[datetime] = None
     recipe: Optional[RecipeResponse] = None
@@ -428,4 +428,4 @@ class LLMPlanResponse(BaseModel):
     picked_count: int
     filled_count: int
     failed_count: int
-    reasoning: Optional[str] = None
+    reasoning: Optional[str] = None

backend/app/schemas/meal_plan_generation.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from datetime import date
 from decimal import Decimal
-from typing import Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 from uuid import UUID
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class GenerationItem(BaseModel):
     day_of_week: int
     estimated_cost: Decimal
     score: float
-    components: Dict[str, float]
+    components: Dict[str, Any]
 
 
 class GenerationDebug(BaseModel):

backend/app/services/meal_pairings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Any, Mapping
+
+from app.models import MealType
+
+
+_COMPLETE_MEAL_TERMS = {
+    "bowl", "burger", "burrito", "casserole", "chili", "curry", "fried rice",
+    "lasagna", "noodle", "paella", "pasta", "pizza", "quesadilla", "ramen",
+    "rice bowl", "risotto", "salad", "sandwich", "soup", "spaghetti", "stew",
+    "stir fry", "stir-fry", "taco", "tacos", "wrap",
+}
+
+_CARB_TERMS = {
+    "bread", "bun", "couscous", "farro", "grain", "noodle", "orzo", "pasta",
+    "pita", "potato", "quinoa", "rice", "tortilla",
+}
+
+_VEG_TERMS = {
+    "asparagus", "beans", "broccoli", "brussels", "cabbage", "carrot",
+    "cauliflower", "corn", "greens", "kale", "pepper", "salad", "spinach",
+    "vegetable", "zucchini",
+}
+
+_PROTEIN_TERMS = {
+    "beef", "breast", "chicken", "chop", "cod", "cutlet", "fish", "pork",
+    "salmon", "shrimp", "steak", "tilapia", "tofu", "turkey",
+}
+
+_PAIRINGS_BY_CUISINE = {
+    "asian": ("sesame broccoli", "steamed jasmine rice"),
+    "chinese": ("garlic green beans", "steamed jasmine rice"),
+    "indian": ("roasted cauliflower", "basmati rice"),
+    "italian": ("garlicky green beans", "orzo or crusty bread"),
+    "mediterranean": ("cucumber tomato salad", "warm pita or couscous"),
+    "mexican": ("sauteed peppers and onions", "cilantro lime rice"),
+    "thai": ("cucumber salad", "steamed jasmine rice"),
+}
+
+_DEFAULT_PAIRING = ("roasted broccoli", "rice pilaf or roasted potatoes")
+
+
+def components_with_suggested_sides(
+    recipe: Any,
+    meal_type: MealType | str,
+    base_components: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    components = dict(base_components or {})
+    suggestion = suggest_sides_for_recipe(recipe, meal_type)
+    if suggestion:
+        components["suggested_sides"] = suggestion
+    return components
+
+
+def suggest_sides_for_recipe(recipe: Any, meal_type: MealType | str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    meal_value = meal_type.value if isinstance(meal_type, MealType) else str(meal_type).lower()
+    if meal_value == MealType.BREAKFAST.value:
+        return None
+
+    explicit_sides = [
+        side.get("name")
+        for side in (getattr(recipe, "side_dishes", None) or [])
+        if isinstance(side, dict) and side.get("name")
+    ]
+    if explicit_sides:
+        return {
+            "needed": True,
+            "items": explicit_sides[:2],
+            "note": "Use the recipe's recommended side dish pairing.",
+        }
+
+    text = _recipe_text(recipe)
+    if not _looks_like_simple_protein(recipe, text):
+        return None
+
+    vegetable, carb = _pairing_for_cuisine(getattr(recipe, "cuisine_tags", None) or [])
+    return {
+        "needed": True,
+        "vegetable": vegetable,
+        "carb": carb,
+        "note": "Simple protein entree; add a vegetable and carb to make it a complete meal.",
+    }
+
+
+def _recipe_text(recipe: Any) -> str:
+    parts = [
+        getattr(recipe, "name", "") or "",
+        getattr(recipe, "protein_type", "") or "",
+        " ".join(getattr(recipe, "cuisine_tags", None) or []),
+    ]
+    for ingredient in getattr(recipe, "ingredients", None) or []:
+        if isinstance(ingredient, dict):
+            parts.append(str(ingredient.get("name") or ingredient.get("ingredient") or ""))
+    return " ".join(parts).lower()
+
+
+def _looks_like_simple_protein(recipe: Any, text: str) -> bool:
+    if any(term in text for term in _COMPLETE_MEAL_TERMS):
+        return False
+    has_protein = bool(getattr(recipe, "protein_type", None)) or any(
+        term in text for term in _PROTEIN_TERMS
+    )
+    if not has_protein:
+        return False
+    has_carb = any(term in text for term in _CARB_TERMS)
+    has_veg = any(term in text for term in _VEG_TERMS)
+    return not (has_carb and has_veg)
+
+
+def _pairing_for_cuisine(tags: list[str]) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    lowered = {tag.lower() for tag in tags}
+    for key, pairing in _PAIRINGS_BY_CUISINE.items():
+        if key in lowered:
+            return pairing
+    return _DEFAULT_PAIRING

backend/app/services/orchestrator/steps.py

@@ -36,6 +36,26 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def _suggested_sides_html(components: dict | None) -> str:
+    sides = (components or {}).get("suggested_sides")
+    if not isinstance(sides, dict):
+        return ""
+    items = sides.get("items")
+    if isinstance(items, list) and items:
+        text = "Pair with " + " + ".join(str(item) for item in items[:2])
+    else:
+        pair = [sides.get("vegetable"), sides.get("carb")]
+        pair = [str(part) for part in pair if part]
+        if not pair:
+            return ""
+        text = "Add " + " + ".join(pair)
+    return (
+        "<p style='font-size:13px;background:#ecfdf5;color:#065f46;"
+        "padding:8px;border-radius:6px;margin:8px 0'>"
+        f"{html.escape(text)}</p>"
+    )
+
+
 def step_scrape(run: "WeeklyRun", db: "Session") -> None:
     if run.scraped_at is not None:
         logger.info("step_scrape: already done for %s, skipping", run.week_start_date)
@@ -273,6 +293,7 @@ def step_email(run: "WeeklyRun", db: "Session") -> None:
                 f"<p style='font-size:13px;color:#888'>Est. ~${est_cost_per_serving:.2f}/serving</p>"
                 if est_cost_total > 0 else ""
             )
+            sides_block = _suggested_sides_html(item.components)
 
             item_html_parts.append(
                 f'<div style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:8px;padding:16px;margin-bottom:12px">'
@@ -280,6 +301,7 @@ def step_email(run: "WeeklyRun", db: "Session") -> None:
                 f'<h3 style="margin:8px 0 4px">{recipe_name}</h3>'
                 f'{ing_block}'
                 f'{instructions_block}'
+                f'{sides_block}'
                 f'{cost_block}'
                 f'<div style="margin-top:8px;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px">'
                 f'<a href="{vote_url}&amp;scope=approve" style="display:inline-block;padding:8px 14px;'

backend/app/services/planner/generate.py

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from app.services.planner.filter import filter_recipes
 from app.services.planner.score import score_recipes
 from app.services.planner.select import select_set
 from app.services.planner.types import GenerationResult
+from app.services.meal_pairings import components_with_suggested_sides
 
 
 def _load_match_index(db: Session) -> Dict[UUID, List[dict]]:
@@ -234,9 +235,11 @@ def generate_meal_plan(
     db.flush()
 
     _dinner_days = [1, 3, 5]  # Mon, Wed, Fri — spread across the week
+    recipe_by_id = {recipe.id: recipe for recipe in recipes}
     for index, scored_recipe in enumerate(chosen):
         day = _dinner_days[index] if index < len(_dinner_days) else index + 1
         meal_type = MealType.DINNER
+        recipe = recipe_by_id.get(scored_recipe.recipe_id)
         item = MealPlanItem(
             meal_plan_id=plan.id,
             recipe_id=scored_recipe.recipe_id,
@@ -245,7 +248,11 @@ def generate_meal_plan(
             approval_status=MealPlanItemStatus.pending,
             estimated_cost=scored_recipe.cost.total_cost,
             score=scored_recipe.score,
-            components=scored_recipe.components,
+            components=components_with_suggested_sides(
+                recipe,
+                meal_type,
+                scored_recipe.components,
+            ),
         )
         db.add(item)
 

backend/tests/test_meal_pairings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+from app.models import MealType
+from app.services.meal_pairings import components_with_suggested_sides, suggest_sides_for_recipe
+
+
+def _recipe(**kwargs):
+    defaults = {
+        "name": "Grilled Chicken Breast",
+        "protein_type": "chicken",
+        "cuisine_tags": [],
+        "ingredients": [],
+        "side_dishes": [],
+    }
+    defaults.update(kwargs)
+    return SimpleNamespace(**defaults)
+
+
+def test_simple_protein_gets_vegetable_and_carb_pairing():
+    sides = suggest_sides_for_recipe(_recipe(), MealType.DINNER)
+
+    assert sides is not None
+    assert sides["vegetable"] == "roasted broccoli"
+    assert sides["carb"] == "rice pilaf or roasted potatoes"
+
+
+def test_complete_meal_does_not_get_extra_pairing():
+    recipe = _recipe(name="Chicken Pasta Bake", protein_type="chicken")
+
+    assert suggest_sides_for_recipe(recipe, MealType.DINNER) is None
+
+
+def test_breakfast_does_not_get_side_pairing():
+    recipe = _recipe(name="Turkey Sausage", protein_type="turkey")
+
+    assert suggest_sides_for_recipe(recipe, MealType.BREAKFAST) is None
+
+
+def test_recipe_side_dishes_are_used_when_present():
+    recipe = _recipe(side_dishes=[{"name": "green salad"}, {"name": "garlic bread"}])
+
+    sides = suggest_sides_for_recipe(recipe, "dinner")
+
+    assert sides is not None
+    assert sides["items"] == ["green salad", "garlic bread"]
+
+
+def test_components_preserve_existing_scores():
+    components = components_with_suggested_sides(
+        _recipe(),
+        MealType.DINNER,
+        {"savings": 0.25},
+    )
+
+    assert components["savings"] == 0.25
+    assert components["suggested_sides"]["needed"] is True

frontend/src/pages/Dashboard.tsx

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import {
   type DroppableStateSnapshot,
 } from '@hello-pangea/dnd'
 import { mealPlannerApi } from '../api'
-import type { MealPlan, MealPlanItem } from '../types'
+import type { MealPlan, MealPlanItem, SuggestedSides } from '../types'
 import { Badge } from '../components/ui/Badge'
 import { Card, CardBody, CardHeader } from '../components/ui/Card'
 import { SkeletonCard, Skeleton } from '../components/ui/Skeleton'
@@ -33,6 +33,18 @@ const DAY_NAMES = ['Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed', 'Thu', 'Fri', 'Sat', 'Sun']
 const FULL_DAY_NAMES = ['Monday', 'Tuesday', 'Wednesday', 'Thursday', 'Friday', 'Saturday', 'Sunday']
 const MEAL_TYPES = ['breakfast', 'lunch', 'dinner'] as const
 
+function getSuggestedSides(item: MealPlanItem): SuggestedSides | null {
+  const value = item.components?.suggested_sides
+  if (!value || typeof value !== 'object') return null
+  return value as SuggestedSides
+}
+
+function formatSuggestedSides(sides: SuggestedSides): string | null {
+  if (sides.items?.length) return `Pair with ${sides.items.join(' + ')}`
+  const pair = [sides.vegetable, sides.carb].filter(Boolean).join(' + ')
+  return pair ? `Add ${pair}` : null
+}
+
 /* ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
 /*  MealCard (draggable)                                               */
 /* ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
@@ -55,6 +67,8 @@ function MealCard({ item, dragHandleProps, isDragging, onApprove: _onApprove, on
     item.approval_status === 'denied' ? 'danger' :
     item.approval_status === 'swapped' ? 'warning' :
     'neutral'
+  const suggestedSides = getSuggestedSides(item)
+  const sideText = suggestedSides ? formatSuggestedSides(suggestedSides) : null
 
   return (
     <div className={`relative group block bg-surface-0 rounded-xl border overflow-hidden hover:shadow-md hover:border-primary-200 transition-all duration-200 ${isDragging ? 'shadow-lg border-primary-400 ring-2 ring-primary-200' : 'border-surface-200'}`}>
@@ -100,6 +114,11 @@ function MealCard({ item, dragHandleProps, isDragging, onApprove: _onApprove, on
             {totalTime > 0 && `${totalTime} min · `}
             {item.recipe?.servings} servings
           </p>
+          {sideText && (
+            <p className="mt-1 rounded-lg bg-primary-50 px-2 py-1 text-[11px] leading-snug text-primary-800">
+              {sideText}
+            </p>
+          )}
           <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 mt-1">
             <Badge
               variant={statusVariant}

frontend/src/pages/MealDetail.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { useQuery, useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { useParams, Link } from 'react-router-dom'
 import { Clock, Users, ChefHat, ArrowLeft, Printer, Star, AlertTriangle, MessageSquare } from 'lucide-react'
 import { mealPlannerApi } from '../api'
-import type { MealPlanItem, Feedback } from '../types'
+import type { MealPlanItem, Feedback, SuggestedSides } from '../types'
 import { Button } from '../components/ui/Button'
 import { Badge } from '../components/ui/Badge'
 import { Card, CardBody, CardHeader } from '../components/ui/Card'
@@ -22,6 +22,18 @@ const DENIAL_REASONS = [
   { value: 'other', label: 'Other' },
 ]
 
+function getSuggestedSides(item: MealPlanItem): SuggestedSides | null {
+  const value = item.components?.suggested_sides
+  if (!value || typeof value !== 'object') return null
+  return value as SuggestedSides
+}
+
+function formatSuggestedSides(sides: SuggestedSides): string | null {
+  if (sides.items?.length) return `Pair with ${sides.items.join(' + ')}.`
+  const pair = [sides.vegetable, sides.carb].filter(Boolean).join(' and ')
+  return pair ? `Add ${pair}.` : null
+}
+
 function StarRating({ value, onChange }: { value: number; onChange: (n: number) => void }) {
   return (
     <div className="flex gap-1">
@@ -158,6 +170,8 @@ export default function MealDetail() {
 
   const totalTime = recipe.total_time_minutes ??
     (recipe.prep_time_minutes || 0) + (recipe.cook_time_minutes || 0)
+  const suggestedSides = getSuggestedSides(item)
+  const sideText = suggestedSides ? formatSuggestedSides(suggestedSides) : null
 
   return (
     <div className="space-y-6 max-w-5xl mx-auto">
@@ -240,6 +254,20 @@ export default function MealDetail() {
         )}
       </div>
 
+      {sideText && (
+        <Card>
+          <CardHeader>
+            <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold text-surface-900">Complete the meal</h2>
+          </CardHeader>
+          <CardBody>
+            <p className="text-sm text-surface-700">{sideText}</p>
+            {suggestedSides?.note && (
+              <p className="mt-2 text-xs text-surface-500">{suggestedSides.note}</p>
+            )}
+          </CardBody>
+        </Card>
+      )}
+
       {/* Ingredients */}
       <Card>
         <CardHeader>

frontend/src/types/index.ts

@@ -62,6 +62,21 @@ export interface Recipe {
   created_at?: string
   updated_at?: string
   total_time_minutes?: number
+  side_dishes?: SideDish[]
+}
+
+export interface SuggestedSides {
+  needed?: boolean
+  vegetable?: string
+  carb?: string
+  items?: string[]
+  note?: string
+}
+
+export interface SideDish {
+  name: string
+  ingredients?: Array<{ name: string; qty: number; unit?: string }>
+  prep_notes?: string
 }
 
 export interface RecipeIngredient {
@@ -117,6 +132,8 @@ export interface MealPlanItem {
   approval_status: 'pending' | 'approved' | 'denied' | 'swapped'
   denial_reason?: string
   denial_details?: string
+  score?: number | null
+  components?: Record<string, unknown> | null
   estimated_cost?: number
   used_pantry_items: string[]
   recipe?: Recipe