Sides Posts
Sesame Noodles
These noodles are one of my favorite things to bring to a picnic. They’re a little salty, a little sweet, and only get better once they sit in the fridge overnight. They’re super simple to make, and will keep for about week in the fridge. They have an excellent balance of salt (from soy sauce), sweetness (from sugar) and heat (from fresh ginger and Sriracha chili sauce).
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 [...]
Buttermilk Cornbread
Sometimes I bake things, then need to immediately give them away so I don’t gobble down the whole pan. You know how that goes? This cornbread is like that. It’s sweet, light, and soft—with just the right amount of bite from stone-ground cornmeal. And since it’s made with low-fat buttermilk and olive oil (instead of [...]
Fiery Chili Lime Rice
I’ve said it before: I love hot food. This rice is a fabulously spicy side that’s packed with flavor. Turn it into a more substantial meal by tossing in some sauteed shrimp or leftover roast chicken or pork. This rice gets a triple kick of heat from cayenne, chipotle, and Aleppo chili flakes—and a potent [...]
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 [...]
Soft and Chewy Rye Bread
‘Tis the season for leftover corned beef. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is a nice, fat corned beef on rye, spread thickly with mustard. This rye bread is easy and oh-so-tasty to whip up at home. There are a zillion recipes for homemade rye bread. This is how I make mine. It’s [...]
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 [...]
