The Hungry Mouse

I learned to cook from my mom, who works a certain kind of magic in the kitchen. Of all the things I've learned from her, how to make homemade Irish cream liqueur may not be one of the most practical, but it is one of my favorites. The short version of this recipe is: Add all ingredients to your blender....

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 smashed potato. It feels kind...

Seriously? I could eat a big bowl of these, then go back for more. I'm not saying that I have a meatball problem. Yet. Made with traditional Asian flavors, these meatballs get a satisfying, subtle heat from a generous amount of chili flakes, ground ginger, and fresh garlic. The sweetness of the sausage balances out the hotness nicely. The best...

Imposter alert! This is a brownie masquerading in cookie form. These cookies are soft and a little chewy—and totally brownie-like in consistency. They're studded with white chocolate chips, and get their dark, fudge-y flavor from a generous amount of melted, unsweetened chocolate. It was really hard to keep from attacking them on the rack as they cooled. We managed. But, barely....

Lamb rib chops, often called lollipop chops when the bone is Frenched, are an oh-so-sweet appetizer that's simple to make and impressive to present. They're easy to eat, and much more elegant than a big, meaty rib. The rib chops develop a handsome brown crust from being seared with rosemary and garlic, both classic flavors for lamb....

Make your own peanut butter cups�and s'mores cups, and fluffernutter cups. I've been wanting to do this for ages, and man...am I glad I did. It's easy, kind of messy, and tons of fun. Warning: Gratuitous candy photography ahead. I couldn't help myself. I think my camera might still be semi-coated in chocolate. How to make homemade, filled chocolate candies These were...

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, I should preface this by...

Now, I know that I'm treading on hallowed ground for some, discussing how to make espresso. Like beer and good wine, espresso is one of those things that folks are very particular about. (Espresso afficionados out there, please be kind!) I'm not an expert barista�or a super fussy coffee person�by a long shot. I'm just a girl who likes a strong...

Who hated beets when they were a kid? Raise your hand. Me, too. I couldn't stand them when I was a little mouse. They were either pickled and vinegary or boiled and vinegary. Either way, they were just all-around icky. (And, did I mention...vinegary?) They were *almost* as bad as saurkraut. Not quite. But almost. The only thing that was remotely cool...

The other day, The Angry Chef headed into the city for his monthly cigar night. I wanted to make something extra special for him and his buddies, who are some of the nicest guys I know. These brownies are rich, dense, and extra chocolate-y from melted chocolate and cocoa powder. Their texture is creamy, almost bordering on fudge. A drizzle of Johnnie...