Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the pleasant summer, the long days, and sipping into the chilled glasses of mocktails. I can’t believe it is almost the end of November. As I look outside my window, the trees have lost their beautiful lush greenery, and the bare branches stand naked against the wind and the cold. It is fascinating how each season brings its charm and keep reminding us of how change is an inevitable part of our lives. And even though we cannot control the changes happening outside, we can always change our way of looking at things. There is nothing cosier than baking inside my kitchen while it is cold and dreary outside. Crispy and flaky on the outside and juicy inside, these vegetable puffs straight out of the oven will warm you up on a cold winter evening. These are so addictive that you will end up losing count of how many you eat. This recipe is also a gre...

Skip to Recipe Growing up in a time when people did not spend their days glued to their smartphones and social media accounts, as a kid, I used to find joy in the simpler things of life. Every lane in our locality had a sweet shop that boasted of their lineage and their prowess of making the best sweets. It was part of my Sunday ritual to visit the sweet shop with my dad. My eyes would sparkle with joy at the mere sight of those scrumptious and colorful sweets on display at all eye levels. God, it was so difficult to pick a favorite! Consumed by busy schedules and a cluttered mind, these little pleasures now feel just out of reach. Kalakand (or Milk cake) is one such Indian dessert that has a special place in my heart and elicits feelings of nostalgia. It is a creamy milk fudge delicately perfumed with cardamom and adorned with chopped pistachios and nuts. Traditionally made with cottage cheese, it is moist, tender, and mel...

Skip to Recipe We are just a few days away from Diwali–the festival of lights, and I am sure that the festive spirit is soaring high in each one of us. I think festivals are all about creating countless joyful memories with people we love that would last for a lifetime. So, even though throughout the year, I try to eat as healthy as possible, during these festivals, I let go of all my inhibitions and unapologetically indulge to my heart's content. Like most of us, a major part of my childhood memories hovers lovingly around festivals. My earliest memories of Diwali were that of my sister and me lighting up every nook and corner of the house with earthen diyas (or lamps), friends, and relatives visiting us to exchange Diwali greetings, and Mom making delectable desserts. But as a kid, what I used to look forward to was bursting different crackers that my Dad used to get from the market. Even after Diwali night, there wer...

Skip to Recipe When we move to a new country, the first thing we do is get some furniture. And that’s exactly what I did after knowing about IKEA. It was a real experience walking into the store, and my first impression was that of awe. After walking several miles in a maze made of tiny fully-furnished micro-studio apartments, I had developed a pit in my stomach. Just as I was about to leave the store, I spotted the IKEA cafeteria and their plates piled with gravy-soaked meatballs. That was my first encounter with meatballs, and eventually, I got so obsessed with them that I would often make excuses to visit the store for lunch. As my fondness for cooking grew, I tried different versions of meatballs at home. I love how meatballs can be served in different ways-as an appetizer, as a main dish served over a bed of spaghetti, or even in a sandwich. However, I find meatballs with spaghetti to be a heavenly combination! Tender,...