Couscous Salad with Bacon and Cremini Mushrooms

This dish combines the deep, earthy flavors of fried bacon and caramelized cremini mushrooms with the crispness of red pepper and green onion. It's easy to make and gets even better overnight as the flavors mingle.

Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Goat Feta, and Basil

We've been pining for summer weather here in Boston. It's been cold, dreary, and drizzly for days. This pasta salad is like a little dose of summer—it's cool, creamy, and an absolutely fabulous thing to bring to a picnic or barbecue. Assuming, that is, that the sun ever comes out.

Super Simple French Fries (Crisp & Crunchy in Just One Step)

No soaking? Only one fry? Start the potatoes in cold (yes, cold) oil? Come on. I had to try it. And man, am I glad I did. Hands down, these are the easiest, most delicious fries I've ever made.

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...

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...

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...

Three Cheese Risotto

Ah, risotto. So creamy! So delicious! All that cheese! And you wanna know what? You don't need to go out to eat to enjoy it. It's not remotely as hard to make at home...

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...

One Potato, Two Potato, Part 2: Duck Fat Hash Browns

What's the best thing about making duck for dinner? The leftover duck fat. At least, so says The Mouse. What's even better? Using that fat to fry potatoes. Mmmm, mmm, mmm. Right now, I'm not...

Deep-Fried Ravioli

Fried ravioli! These are so yummy, it's almost ridiculous. They're oh-so-crispy on the outside, and oozing with creamy, molten cheese on the inside. Start with fresh ravioli. (Frozen will work, too. Just thaw them completely...