Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe New Year is just few days away and this is my last recipe for this year.If you are throwing a bash to ring in the new year and looking for some inspiration for entertaining, I have got you covered with these Cheesy Beef Quesadillas. These Cheesy Beef Quesadillas are rich, festive, packed with bold, vibrant flavors and can turn any party into a true fiesta. These are also perfect for Taco Tuesday or a quick, easy, and simple dinner any day of the week! What is a Quesadilla? Originated in Mexico, quesadilla in its most basic form is a grilled crispy tortilla that is filled with meat or vegetables along with plenty of melted cheese. Well-seasoned ground beef, lots of gooey melted cheese and a crispy golden brown exterior-each bite is an explosion of flavor. Though they are good on their own, you can serve them hot and crispy with guacamole and simple tomato salsa for a complete Mexican meal. ...

Skip to Recipe We love freshly fallen snow and an overfilled stocking as much as the next person, but nothing can touch the distinct holiday feeling like a delicious Christmas cake with a cup of hot cocoa. Moist, fluffy orange-flavored cake that is studded with tart, juicy cranberries, this Orange Cranberry Bundt Cake makes a gorgeous centerpiece at the Christmas table and is a great festive holiday dessert. It's deliciously buttery, fluffy, and bursting with winter flavors. And, unlike other cakes, it doesn't require any buttercream or frosting. A simple glaze on top is enough to turn this simple bake into a stunner! The combination of orange and cranberry is a classic holiday flavor and for good reason! If you haven’t tried this amazing combination, you are missing out. This stunning cake beautifully highlights the natural flavors of both these seasonal fruits. The sweet flavor of the oranges is balanced by th...

Skip to Recipe The holiday season is packed with parties and family gatherings, and what I love the most is the appealing and indulgent appetizers that are served at them. However, sometimes it can be quite difficult to find healthy appetizers that won’t skimp on taste and at the same time won’t undo all of our fit eating choices! The recipe that I am sharing today is full of flavors and nutritional goodness. These Classic Deviled eggs are filled with a rich and creamy filling and finished off with a pinch of paprika and flavorful chives!They are a delightful addition to any gathering and are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! Why are they called Deviled Eggs? The roots of the modern deviled egg recipe can be traced to ancient Rome, where the wealthy would be served boiled eggs seasoned with spicy sauces before the main meal. Traditionally made with mayonnaise, mustard, and paprika, deviled eggs are devilishly deli...

Skip to Recipe It is December and the holiday season is fast approaching. I love this time of the year when it is snowy and cold outside, and I am indoors baking up some delicious cookies with holiday tunes playing in the background. The heavenly aroma of cookies baking in the oven while I rewatch my favorite holiday movie is enough to soothe and calm down my mind. Linzer cookies are a holiday classic. Nutty, buttery cookies filled with your favorite jam and dusted with powdered sugar make for a gorgeous and decadent treat. With their snow-like dusting of confectioners' sugar and glistening red raspberry jam filling, these will surely bring on all the festive holiday vibes! What are Linzer Cookies? The Linzer cookie, believed to have originated in the city of Linz, is inspired by Linzertorte, one of the most famous and beloved confections in Austria. The cookies are like mini versions of the torte, which are made with...

Skip to Recipe The holiday season is about to begin, which means it is time to party with our near and dear ones. Christmas involves a lot of prep, especially when you're hosting. Amidst all the gifts-wrapping, and decorating the Christmas tree, the last thing you want is to be stressed over ridiculously difficult recipes. That's where this easy appetizer comes into play! When it comes to holiday appetizers, nothing is as classic as Pigs in a Blanket. Delicious mini smokies are wrapped in flaky, buttery puff pastry dough and baked to perfection. They are one of my favorite snacks when hosting a party along with some of my other favorites such as Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks , Brie Raspberry Bites and Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots. Why is it called Pigs in a Blanket? Sounds funny, doesn’t it? The term “pigs in a blanket” typically refers to hot dogs, in this case, mini cocktail smok...

Skip to Recipe A warm, freshly baked dinner roll is one of the biggest highlights of the holiday table, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas. A few days ago, I was scrolling through Pinterest when I stumbled upon these Pumpkin Shaped Dinner Rolls. One look and I was so besotted I knew I had to make them. These little pumpkins look so pretty and adorable, who wouldn’t want to bake them? This year, instead of settling for store-bought ones, take it up a notch and impress your guests with a basket of these delicious rolls. These Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery, perfectly sweet and deliciously satisfying. They are definitely going to be the highlight of your Thanksgiving Table! The taste of pumpkin is very subtle in these rolls and hence can be served with almost anything. While they are great as breakfast slathered in butter or cream cheese, their pull-apart shape makes them perfect for dipping into soups and s...

Skip to Recipe It is the middle of November, and almost winter, which means less daylight, sluggish moods, and bleak weather that chills our insides. While winter may feel like it lasts forever when the months drag on, thankfully we have hearty comfort food that sticks to our ribs and helps us get through. And, if I am talking about comfort food, how can I forget the iconic Beef Bourguignon? Beef Bourguignon is one of the most acclaimed French recipes around the world and embodies the essence of French Slow cooking. As its name suggests, this stew originates from Burgundy, a French region well known for producing exceptional cattle meat as well as red wine, both of which are the star ingredients of this local dish. Tender chunks of beef are braised in red wine along with mushrooms, carrots, onions, and herbs for a robust, hearty, and soul-satisfying winter dinner. The star of the recipe is the beef, which is seared over...

Skip to Recipe Who doesn't like potatoes? They are versatile, affordable, and it doesn’t take much to transform them into scrumptious, mouthwatering dishes, making them an excellent choice for party appetizers that can feed a hungry crowd. These Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks are a fun twist on the traditional potato dishes. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes that are infused with butter, garlic and parmesan and then baked in a muffin pan until golden and crispy. As each stack bakes, the top layers of the potatoes and edges get crispy while the center remains soft and creamy. Not to mention,as they bake in the oven, they will leave your kitchen smell incredible! Though they look festive and elegant, they don’t need much to make them delish. The secret to a great stack is thinly slicing the potatoes and layering them together. So while a sharp knife is an option, you're much better off using a mandolin. This ensures that each ...

Skip to Recipe I love everything about fall-the changing leaves, the cozy sweaters, the warm drinks, and all the harvest produce that it brings along. As soon as fall hits, butternut squash makes its way through the dining table, and I try to make the most use of this autumnal veggie in my recipes. While Carbonara is one of the most decadent dishes that is loved by all, the Butternut Squash Carbonara with Bacon is a wonderful twist on the classic that results in one of the best fall-inspired dishes. Seasonal butternut squash that gets roasted in the oven along with aromatics like shallot and garlic and pureed into a creamy sauce, tossed with Fettuccine and finished off with crispy bacon, fried sage, and a sprinkle of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. The star of the recipe is the seasonal butternut squash that gets roasted till caramelized and then goes for a quick spin in a food processor to create a smooth and creamy sauc...

Skip to Recipe Thanksgiving is just a month away! While you are super busy and preoccupied to bring together the perfect dinner, sometimes it is easy to forget about the appetizers. If you are looking for a quick and fuss-free bite that your guests can nosh on while waiting for the big feast, then you have come to the right place. Sweet potato slices are baked until golden and then topped with a dollop of ricotta cheese, crunchy pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a drizzle of honey. The crunchy pecans and pomegranate seeds match perfectly with the smooth ricotta and the roasted sweet potatoes. Each bite is full of contrasting flavors and is perfect for holiday entertaining. Not only do they add a festive touch to any dinner party, but they are also easy and delicious as a quick and healthy snack! Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium and magnesium, and are very filling, making them an ideal snack to keep you g...