Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe It is the most wonderful time of the year and the countdown for Christmas has started. I am looking forward to the festive season- days off from work, snuggling in the couch, and watching holiday movies. But nothing can touch the distinct holiday feeling like digging into a cake while watching the decorated Christmas tree. Filled with soft, juicy dates and crunchy walnuts, this Date and Walnut Cake is made with just a few pantry staples and the perfect accompaniment to your favorite beverage. The dates add the perfect amount of sweetness to the soft and moist cake while the walnuts add an incredible textural contrast with their crunchy nuttiness. It is hard to stop at one slice! DO THE DATES NEED TO BE SOAKED FIRST? Yes, it is highly recommended. Soaking the dates with baking soda in boiling water before baking is the best way to get the perfect texture. MORE DESSERTS TO SINK YOUR SWEET TO...

Skip to Recipe Pasta Bolognese, often hailed as a quintessential Italian dish, showcases the rich culinary traditions of Italy. Originating in the Italian city of Bologna, Bolognese is a rich and hearty meat-based sauce. It is slow-simmered along with aromatic vegetables, tomatoes and red wine, resulting in an intensely flavored sauce that has an incredible depth of flavor. While it requires some prep and patience, the process is mostly hands-off. The stove does most of the work! So, pour yourself a glass of wine, gather up the ingredients, and settle in for a few hours of cooking up the coziest, most delicious bolognese recipe. WHAT KIND OF WINE IS USED FOR THIS RECIPE? A dry red wine is ideal for Bolognese sauce. Any good-quality dry red wine such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon can be used. Just avoid using any cooking wine. WHAT KIND OF PASTA CAN BE USED FOR THIS RECIPE? Trad...

Skip to Recipe While it is cold and gloomy outside and the dreadful winter is knocking on the door, all I can dream about is the vacation in Greece last month. The sun-kissed land with its azure coastline, idyllic islands, gorgeous sunsets and last but not the least, its unforgettable gastronomy captivated me. Greek food with its vibrant flavors offers a thrilling gastronomic adventure with every bite and takes all food enthusiasts on a sensational journey back in time to the land of Ancient Greek gods. One food that was on the menu of every Greek taverna was Moussaka. The flavours and textures were new and exciting to me & I was so blown away by its taste that I ate it almost every day (the fact that it was so cheap didn't hurt either). A classic dish made of rich, hearty layers of potato, eggplant, and a robust meat sauce, all topped off with a creamy béchamel sauce. This is Greek comfort food at its finest! ...

Skip to Recipe The holiday season is fast approaching. I love this time of the year when it is 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 go around decorating the Christmas tree unleashes my festive spirit. Chocolate Chip Cookies are undoubtedly one of the most loved cookies in the world. Every baker needs an incredible chocolate chip cookie recipe in their repertoire and this one is mine. With perfectly soft centers, crisp edges, and packed with chocolate in every bite, these Chocolate Chip Cookies are absolutely incredible! Just wait until you try them. WHAT MAKES THESE THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES? These cookies are insanely delicious, and once you try them they will be on repeat in your house. Here is what makes them the best ever: Easy to make: Made with...

Skip to Recipe Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! While you are super busy and preoccupied to bring together the perfect dinner, sometimes it is easy to forget about the appetizers. A big pile of mashed potatoes has a perennial spot on the classic Thanksgiving plate. However, if you want to switch things up and impress your guests with something different they can nosh on while waiting for the big feast, then you have come to the right place. These Smashed Potatoes have extremely crispy skins and comforting creamy middle that I am pretty sure you can never get enough of! Serve them as a side dish as part of your feast or an appetizer – they’re delicious either way! WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SMASH THE POTATOES? I would suggest using either a heavy flat-bottomed glass or a potato masher for the best results. HERE ARE SOME OTHER APPETIZERS THAT YOU WILL LOVE Sweet Pot...

Skip to Recipe It is 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 Coq Au Vin? Quintessentially French, Coq Au Vin (literally “rooster in red wine”) is an iconic dish from the rustic cooking repertoire of France. It is a savory, robust and hearty stew of braised chicken in a luscious, glossy red wine sauce with mushroom and pearl onions. The result is a dish full of fall-apart chicken and the most succulent sauce. Absolutely divine! Sounds fancy, right? In reality, it is a simple, one-pot wonder full of layered, rich flavors that is elegant and impressive enough to serve while entertaining guests, yet comforting enough for a cozy ...

Skip to Recipe Ever since Starbucks developed the special winter- time treat, Cinnamon Dolce Latte, way back in 2006, it quickly became a customer favorite. And, now it is hard to imagine the arrival of autumn without the cozy comfort of this seasonal treat. There’s no denying the deliciousness of a Cinnamon Dolce Latte of Starbucks and it is perfectly fine to indulge once in a while. However, I’m much more partial to making it at home as it is lower in calories, budget-friendly and is as good as Starbucks if not better! And, the best of all, is that you can customize this recipe endlessly to your taste as well. For those craving a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, pass on Starbucks and make this homemade version instead! The Cinnamon Dolce Latte combines the warm flavors of cinnamon, with shot of espresso and freshly steamed milk, all topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. HOW DOES THIS DRINK TASTE LIKE? ...

Skip to Recipe When the temperature drastically drops or when you are feeling under the weather, what food do you turn to for comfort? For a lot of us, the answer is soup. Every country in the world has its own signature soup that represents a fascinating story of the local produce and the culinary traditions of the region. From the meaty broths of Europe to the more spicy and aromatic soups of Asia, soups are more than just a comforting bowl. They are a reflection of the region’s history and culture simmered in a pot. Experience the magic of Vietnamese cuisine with this Bò Kho or Spicy Beef Stew. Bò Kho is a hearty, one-pot stew of succulent beef, sweet, tender carrots and lemongrass that is slow-cooked in a broth infused with Oriental warm spices. The meat is slow cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, deeply infused with the aromatics, and your home will be filled with tantalizing smell. WHAT IS BO KHO? ...