Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe 'Tis the season for all things pumpkin. There are about a gazillion recipes to make with this gourd, from pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread....and the list can go on and on! However, as soon as the leaves start changing their hues, my favorite way to enjoy this orange fruit is to whip up some delicious desserts. If you too are obsessed with pumpkin-based desserts, then I have got you covered. These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are soft and moist with a decadent cream cheese swirl running through them that melt right into the top as they bake. Seasoned with cozy pumpkin spice flavors and a sweet, velvety cream cheese filling, they smell and taste like fall! Whether you make these muffins for your Thanksgiving party or as a special treat to celebrate fall, this treat is sure to hit the spot just like my Pumpkin Nutella Muffins. If you are looki

Skip to Recipe Chicken Pot Pie graces our dinner table very often during the colder months. It is comfort food at its finest and full of warm, cozy flavors. However, making it can be quite a hassle. There’s the rolling of the pie dough, the making of the filling, the assembly of the pie, and finally the baking. That is where these Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies come in. These Hand Pies have everything you love about a classic, hearty, homemade chicken pot pie but without all the fuss. The fact that these take almost half the time of regular pot pies to bake is a big win, especially during the weeknights. Prepared with a rich and creamy filling of chicken and veggies and tucked into store-bought puff pastry, then baked until golden and crisp. With a delectable filling inside and a golden beautiful crust outside, these savory pies are such a wonderfully cozy treat to warm up with on a chilly fall or winter night. They can be

Skip to Recipe It is officially soup season. Though I love soups any time of the year, curling up on the couch with a piping hot bowl on chilly fall evenings is pure bliss. They make for easy dinners or quick lunches that will warm up your body and soul. If you are looking for soups that are bursting with flavors and at the same time can be whipped up without much hassle, this Roasted Cauliflower and Red Pepper Soup is for you! Florets of cauliflower and red bell peppers get roasted in the oven together until lightly caramelized and crispy, and then pureed, resulting in a creamy bowl of deliciousness. This soup is low-carb, gluten-free, and completely plant-based! Although roasting the vegetables takes a little more time and effort, it is definitely worth it. The roasted cauliflower gives the soup an exceptionally rich and smooth texture without adding an extra cream, while the red peppers add a gorgeous color

Skip to Recipe Adios Summer! As the temperature drops and the cold nights draw in, we are ready to embrace fall with all its glory. When it comes to fall weeknight dinners, we all need meals that are warm and hearty and at the same time can be whipped up without breaking a sweat. This Sheet Pan Sausage, Apples and Roasted Vegetables is a healthy, vibrant meal that is all about cozy flavors and is guaranteed to make your dinner a breeze! Juicy Chorizo sausages are roasted alongside seasonal apples, carrots, potatoes, brussel sprouts and red onion with lots of fresh herbs for a deliciously flavorful weeknight dinner! I love the addition of the apples that lend a slightly sweet yet savory flavor to all of this roasted goodness. There is no active work involved, you just have to chop the sausages and the veggies and toss everything together in the oven, letting it do all the hard work for you. Plus, everything gets

Skip to Recipe I love waking up to warm muffins in the mornings. They are a great make-ahead breakfast for rushed mornings when you don't have the time to prepare something before heading out of the door. That being said, I am not talking about overly sweet muffins. I am talking about muffins that are filled with wholesome ingredients that will help meet your health goals and keep you fuelled until lunch. The different varieties of fresh, crisp seasonal apples available this time of the year inspired me to make these Apple Cinnamon Muffins. Deliciously soft, moist, fluffy muffins that are loaded with fresh apples and warm spices, these are a Fall favorite! The combination of apples and cinnamon is an iconic fall staple and will leave your kitchen smelling warm, fragrant, and cozy. Though these are perfect year round they taste best slathered with some butter and with a cup of coffee on cool fall mornings.

Skip to Recipe Considering the diverse cuisines that are all around the world, there’s much room to expand our palettes and explore new exotic flavors. Known for its meticulous preparation and exquisite presentation, French cuisine, for long, has been toppled as the king of fine dining. However, at its core French food relies on simple flavors and high-quality ingredients to create unforgettable internationally-renowned dishes. If you want to venture into the world of French cooking, then this classic Chicken Fricassée is perfect for you. Chicken Fricassee (pronounced “fri-ka-say”) is a rustic French classic that relies on humble ingredients and just a single pot. It is the original comfort food- chicken that is sautéed lightly and then braised with onions, carrots, mushrooms, and herbs in a rich and creamy sauce. This one-pot wonder is elegant to serve company and also hearty enough for an amazing weeknight dinner.

Skip to Recipe Having spent two beautiful years of my life in Ireland, I was utterly captivated by the country, its natural landscapes, the friendly people, and the lively celebrations. St Patrick's Day is one such event that is held on March 17 every year in Ireland, something most look forward to! Though it started as a religious holiday, over time it has become a celebration of Irish culture. The festivities revolve around parades, dance, music, and family and friends enjoying great meals and drinks that have been part of the traditions of the Emerald Isle. Shepherd's Pie is one of the favorite meals during St. Patrick's Day! It is a classic layered casserole that has creamy mashed potatoes slathered on top of well seasoned minced meat and vegetables and then baked till golden brown. This is also a hearty, filling, and delicious meal that drives the winter blues away and brings comfort during the colder months.

Skip to Recipe Apart from its myriad castles and museums, Germany is also well known for its large number of bakeries. Almost every street has a bakery that has mastered the craft of bread making, passed on for many generations. Strolling through the streets, you can smell the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting out of the door that can make you salivate and arouse your appetite. And once you step inside, you will be spoilt for choice. I remember the first time I tried the traditional German specialty Apple Strudel (or Apfelstrudel) and fell in love with its amazing taste. It is a flaky pastry filled with brandy-soaked raisins, cinnamon-scented apples, and chopped walnuts. Since then every time I had it, I wanted to make it at home, but the idea of making it from scratch seemed beyond my reach as a novice home-baker. The recipe that I am sharing today is inspired by the classic Apfelstrudel. Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastries are cr

Skip to Recipe Rainy and cold weather seems to demand a bit of comfort food, and hence I have been making a lot of soups and stews lately. When it comes to vegetarian cooking, lentils are a favorite of mine and are always present in my pantry. They are packed with plant based protein and a great way to make filling and healthy meals. Not to forget, they are budget friendly too! This Vegetable and Lentil Stew is hearty, comforting and satisfying as it is loaded with a lot of vegetables and it is a nutritional powerhouse. If you are looking to transition to a vegetarian diet or simply looking for meatless meals, then this stew is perfect for you! Even my meat loving husband approved of it and relished it with gusto. I have used brown lentils for this recipe as they hold their shape, and at the same time, absorb all the flavors. What I love about this stew is that it is incredibly versatile and customizable. I have

Skip to Recipe The weather was terrible over the last few days, making me want to stay in bed all morning and curl up on the couch all afternoon. I did have plans to get stuff done, but the gray sky just drained all my energy. The voice inside me constantly kept saying,'' Stop wasting your time and do something productive.'' To appease her, I picked myself up and baked my favorite fall muffins...Pumpkin Nutella Muffins. Fluffy and moist pumpkin muffins with a swirl of creamy Nutella baked right in-these taste as delicious as they look and sound! While pumpkin epitomizes fall, you can never go wrong with Nutella! If you’ve never tried this combination, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how perfectly these two flavors complement each other. These muffins are decadent, bursting with fall flavors, and will make your house smell amazing! Do you need more reasons to try these? They are not only great fo