Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe Last week while I was sitting near the window, and watching the continuous rain, my mind was dreaming about Greece- the sunshine, the deep blue seas and the sandy beaches. Visiting this gem of the Mediterranean has always been my dream. Since a vacation to Greece seems off limits at the moment, I decided to make a delicious Greek- inspired dinner to taste my way around the world without leaving the house. Gyros is one of the most popular street food of Greece. The word 'gyros' is derived from 'gheereezo', which means 'to turn', referring to the constantly rotating vertical spit on which the meat is cooked. It consists of pieces of meat (like chicken,lamb, beef or pork) cooked on a rotisserie and then wrapped in a pita or flatbread along with tzatziki sauce and vegetable such as tomatoes, onions and lettuce. Though they seem completely out of the realm of home cooking, they’re incredibly ea

Skip to Recipe It is October! Every year I think that this month passes too quickly, and I am left with the feeling that I let another gorgeous autumn go by without appreciating it enough. This year I am trying to get the most of this colorful and magical season before it is gone! And, what better way to get into the fall vibes than by rewarding our taste buds with some delectable food? I am going to share some of my favorite recipes in the next few weeks that celebrate and capture the essence of fall. The One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables is a flavour- packed,vibrant meal that will leave your whole family impressed without you breaking a sweat. Incredibly flavorful chicken and assortment of colorful veggies all get baked together ,making it perfect for lazy Sundays or busy weeknights when you are too tired and stressed to cook and want something delicious and healthy. All you have to do is place your ingredi

Skip to Recipe It has been almost a month in our new home and we are still surrounded by towering walls of moving boxes. Daunted by the tasks of unpacking, cleaning, and organizing, I feel physically and emotionally spent and have to keep reminding myself to pause and breathe. Sorry to sound like a whiner, but I think I am not the only one who is going through this phase. I am a very impatient person in life, and as the impatient decorator rises within me, I feel the urge to get the whole house decorated right away. Sounds so unrealistic, isn't it? In reality, a home isn't crafted in a day, and just like the people living inside, it evolves over time. I think the care we put into a home over time makes it all the more beautiful and memorable! This week I have a created a healthier version of the Panda Express Orange Chicken that is a favorite among everyone. You can now savor the flavor of your favorite dish without all t

Skip to Recipe It has been a very different summer this year. Heavy showers and thunderstorms have been lashing Germany in recent weeks, and with this kind of weather, I have been incessantly craving spicy food of late. It is no secret that nothing can satisfy my soul as much as a good bowl of thick, creamy curry, especially in this brisk weather. Oven-baked, soft, and juicy meatballs dunked in a hot piping, creamy coconut milk sauce, this Thai dish is sure to have you coming back again and again. This is a winning, vibrant, healthy dinner for any night of the week that can be made with minimal effort! Not only are these Thai-inspired meatballs delicious, but they are also dairy-free and Paleo compliant. If you are fond of Thai flavours, don't forget to check my Thai Basil Chicken and Thai Fish Cakes These meatballs are packed full of ginger, garlic, and red curry paste, and that

Skip to Recipe Chicken is a favorite in my household for obvious reasons: it is easy, quick, and so versatile. Whenever I run out of ideas of what to make for dinner, chicken is the answer. This week I decided to combine my eternal love of tacos with my love of chicken. You can now make every Tuesday, or any day of the week a fiesta with these Ground Chicken Tacos. They are guaranteed to get everyone in the family, including the little ones, excited for dinner. Corn tortillas that are filled with deliciously seasoned juicy chicken and topped with shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chopped cilantro - every bite is a burst of vibrant and robust flavors and textures. And will transport you directly to the streets of Mexico. The ground chicken gets cooked in a homemade taco seasoning, which is a simple combination of chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. You can also use thi

Skip to Recipe I have just come back from a short vacation from Heidelberg, one of Germany's most charming and picturesque cities. And let me tell you, leaving the clear blue skies, the sunny weather, the romantic old cobbled streets, the mesmerizing nature, and coming home to the daily grind of life is quite a challenge. One-pot meals come to my rescue whenever an endless list of daunting tasks awaits me, and the last thing I want to do is spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta redefines the meaning of easy cooking. All you need to do is throw everything in, and you’ll have a delicious and fancy meal in less than an hour without leaving behind an overflowing sink of utensils. Tender chicken pieces and pasta simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce-this dish is comforting, satisfying, and so delicious that you will want to lick the sauce off your plate. The pasta gets cooked in t

Skip to Recipe I am head-over-heels in love with food. The chemistry of turning raw ingredients into something beautiful and delicious gives me a sense of gratification. But nothing is greater than the joy of sharing food with my friends and loved ones. For me, it is an expression of love and affection. And, I am lucky to have found people around me who appreciate me and my cooking. The smiles that I see on their faces fill me with a beaming sense of pride and make my day. The Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are always loved and are a great hit among my guests. Crispy chicken wings tossed in a refreshing and zesty lemon garlic butter sauce that will have everyone swooning over. And the best part is that they are baked in the oven and not deep-fried, which means that you don't have to count the calories. Baking them takes a longer time, but once you put them in the oven, all you have to do is flip them over once halfway through cooking. Whether it is for game day

Skip to Recipe The football fever is soaring high with everyone waiting and cheering with bated breath for their favorite team. I, too, have to deal with my football-obsessed husband this time of the year. Every evening, my husband parks himself in front of the TV, giving his full attention to the game. And at times, he is even unreceptive about getting off the couch for dinner. I must admit that I have never been a sports person.Even my repeated attempts to appreciate the game could not uproot my deeply entrenched belief that the game is just too aggressive for my liking. Sometimes I think that only a magic wand can make me fall in love with it. While my husband enjoys his coveted time, I take that time to indulge in my favorite pastime of cooking. What is more enjoyable for a football fan than devouring a juicy burger on the couch while watching the best team battle it out? A juicy chicken burger topped with grilled pineapple,

Skip to Recipe Thailand has always been on my travel bucket list. There is so much in the tropical paradise that I would like to explore-the tranquil beaches, the ancient temples, the amazing landscapes, and most importantly the mouthwatering street food. With the pandemic looming, most of us are currently stuck traveling from our armchairs. But we can always delve into the delights of our favorite dishes by replicating them at home. So this week, I decided to share a recipe that will take you straight to the bustling streets of Thailand. Thai Basil Chicken is one of the most popular street foods in Thailand, that is quick and easy to make in the comfort of your own home! Finely diced chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sauce with bell peppers, cashews, and aromatic fresh basil -this dish is perfect when the hankering for Thai food strikes! This recipe earns major points as it is made with pantry-friendly staples and do

Skip to Recipe Being someone who tries to take on more than one should, I know what it’s like to keep several balls in the air. I constantly keep striving for balance and at times, finding the time to pause becomes a herculean task. A friend of mine once said, "If you want to find the balance, you have to make peace with imperfections". How true! Just like our lives, the food we consume also needs a balance. The Mexican-inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl is the perfect example of a healthy, hearty meal that is filled with a balance of nutrients and, at the same time bursts with flavors. A burrito bowl is a deconstructed burrito without the tortilla. It has all of your favorite burrito-filling ingredients served over a bowl of rice. Loaded with juicy, grilled chicken, rice, black beans, corn, this recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner any day of the week. These bowls can easily be meal prepped for the week or turned into an easy

Skip to Recipe 2020 has been a very different year. The pandemic has wreaked upheaval across the globe and made us examine the fragility of our mortality. As our worlds suddenly shrank, and we were confined mostly to our homes, it brought in us a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life- the joy of stepping out of our homes without fear, the joy of meeting our friends, and the joy of the heartfelt hugs from our loved ones. Much like the other holidays, New Years´ Eve will look different this year. But that is no reason not to celebrate. Getting through such a crazy year is still worth celebrating — even if it is just over Zoom or a small celebration within the family. Get your New Year’s celebration off to a rocking start with this mouth-watering appetizer. Buffalo Chicken Wings are fried chicken wings that are tossed in a homemade “Buffalo Sauce”, which is a mixture of hot sauce, butter, and honey. Extra crispy on the out

Skip to Recipe Well, it was our 7th Wedding Anniversary last weekend. Though I was disappointed for not being able to carry out our travel plan, I was grateful that my husband and I were together. And that was all that mattered. Our relationship has evolved so much over these years, and so have I as an individual. What I have realized in these years is that marriage is not always being mushy-gushy in love, but the small and thoughtful gestures of care and adoration. We spent the whole day together, enjoying good food, playing cards, watching an old movie that we both love, and going through our old travel memories. With all the restaurants closed at the moment, I decided to create a gourmet dinner to surprise my significant other. For the celebratory meal, I chose recipes that were simple yet elegant. The Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken is a one-pan skillet recipe that comes together within half an hour and is sure to become you