One thing I struggle with too is picking good sides and actually making a complete meal rather than just 1 good item.
Standard go-to meal in my house:
Steak ( t-bone, ribeye or London broil)
Rice
Asparagus or broccoli
I absolutely recommend you buy yourself a non-stick rice cooker, it will make rice a staple side for you. Put in a cup of rice ( not that minute rice or uncle bens garbage you are probably used to) -- I use jasmine rice --- and a bit overs cup and a half of water, plug it in and in twenty minutes you have a perfect starch side. Remember to use cooking spray on the inside before adding rice. Has to be non stick, don't buy the other kind.
If you don't already have a steamer pot (small pot with a smaller insert used on stovetop) most supermarkets will have a steamer basket insert for sail in their little housewares section. Steaming asparagus takes from three to six minutes depending on thickness (don't forget to snap off the woody part at the bottom). rinse them and while they are still wet sprinkle them with kosher salt. Broccoli same thing, cut to bite size florets, rinse, salt. They are done when you can slide a steak knife through them without much resistance. both take the same time.
I start the rice and heat the grill at the same time. About five minutes later I start the steaks. About five minutes before the rice is done the steaks are done. Take them out, tent with foil and let the merest, start the asparagus when you rest them. All done in twenty minutes.
Tips: make sure you bring your steaks up to close to room temp by taking them out, seasoning them, and setting them on the counter for twenty minutes before grilling. Remember to grease the grill. Use kosher salt, and more than you think you need. Ther is no substitue for fresh cracked pepper.
