Veggies Posts
Quick Fresh Pickles
These crisp pickles are high on my list of nibbles and noshes to take on a picnic or a barbecue. They’re the perfect cool companion to spicy barbecue or lunch-counter favorites like a thick pastrami on rye. And while pickling can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. You can make these crunchy spears overnight with a handful of pickling cukes. The best part? No canning required.
Basic Cooking: Perfect Mashed Potatoes
I could eat bowls of buttery mashed potatoes for dinner—which is probably why I don’t make them too often. (Hello, carb coma!) There are a zillion recipes out there for making mashed potatoes. Here’s how I make mine. They’re simple and creamy—and just a wee bit tangy from the addition of a little sour cream. [...]
Fennel & Jicama Slaw
Summer’s coming. This means a lot of things for The Mouse House, not the least of which is a lot more barbecue. Now, I like my barbecue more on the melt-your-face-off-hot side of things. This slaw is cool, crisp, and oh-so-refreshing—making it a great counterpoint to any kind of spicy food. (Looking for another easy [...]
Classic Cucumber Salad
I remember versions of this from summer picnics when I was a little mouse. It’s one of the first things I love to make when the winter weather starts to break. This salad is a cool and classic combination of sour cream and dill. To prepare it, you soak the cuke slices in a little [...]
Open-Faced Avocado Sandwich
If butter were a vegetable, it’d be an avocado. (It’s no wonder I love these little green guys so much.) This sandwich is one of my guilty pleasures. It’s a great, no-hassle lunch or dinner in a pinch. I mean, let’s face it: Sometimes, you just don’t feel like cooking.
Warm & Smokey Asparagus Salad
Fresh asparagus is one of my favorite signs of spring. This salad is a fabulous, no fuss way to enjoy it. Whip it up when you start cooking dinner, then let the flavors happily meld together while you finish preparing the rest of your meal. Asparagus and bacon are a match made in heaven. For [...]
Eggplant Fries
Be still my heart. Those aren’t french fries. They’re eggplant fries! As in, eggplant in french-fry form. Are they healthier for you? Probably not. Do they make up for it by being super delicious? Oh, hell yeah. Now, I have to admit that I’m conflicted about eggplant. It’s definitely not one of my favorite veggies. [...]
Mashed Parsnip & Potato Pancakes
What’s the thing I like best about making my mashed parsnips and potatoes? Transforming the leftovers into light and fluffy mashed potato pancakes. They’re crisp on the outside, and creamy on the inside. Serve them for brunch with a dollop of garlick-y sour cream or a compound butter with freshly grated Parmesan and garlic. They’re [...]
Making Gourmet’s Panfried Smashed Potatoes, Step by Step
Ever since this month’s Gourmet magazine showed up at The Mouse House, I kept going back to this recipe. When I found a bag of the sweetest little red bliss potatoes, I took it as a sign. The skins are crisp, the potatoes are soft and fluffy, and it’s ridiculously fun to fry a whole [...]
Fiery Green Hot Sauce
What do you get when you combine mashed chilis, white vinegar, and a little salt? A homemade hot sauce with super-fresh, vibrant flavor that beats the pants off of anything store bought. At least so says the Mouse. Some things are too good to resist. For those of you who don’t know me that well, [...]
