Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe January is the bleakest of all months, all the glitz and glimmer of Christmas is over, giving way to the doldrums of midwinter. The season brings along the natural force of slowing down and resting, and we as humans also want to slow down and hibernate, seeking out warmth and comfort. I believe it is the perfect time of the year to embrace a slower pace of life and work with the natural energy of the season, rather than against it. Just like the way of living, the food that my souls yearns for is distinctively different from that in the summer, and my only goal is to keep my belly satiated rather than to experience a new culinary feat. For times like these, this Classic Italian Minestrone Soup is my reliable companion. This Italian Minestrone Soup boasts hearty vegetables and pasta in a tomato broth and finished off with Parmesan cheese. Serve this with some crusty bread and call it a day! WHAT IS A MINESTRON

Skip to Recipe There's really nothing like a big, over-the-top Christmas dinner where you have the whole family over gathered around the table and then dig into a hearty and wholesome meal. Say hello to the most festive meal you'll ever meet: Classic Lasagna. Tender sheets of pasta are layered with a robust meaty tomato sauce (Bolognese sauce) and a creamy white sauce (Béchamel Sauce) , topped with cheese and baked until perfection to create a Lasagne that is an absolute showstopper. Equally stunning & delicious, this is the perfect dish to make for Christmas dinner that will leave your guests wanting for more. The Secret to this Classic Lasagna Patience is a virtue you'll need when making this dish, but I guarantee all of the effort you put into this dish is worth it. Here are the components that make this Lasagne extra special: Homemade Bolognese Sauce: A classic Ita

Skip to Recipe When it comes to summer produce, there’s a lot to be excited about—red wedges of watermelon, sweet shiny cherries, and luscious juicy peaches. Whether sweet or savory, there are plenty of ways to incorporate this summer stone fruit into recipes. This Peach Crostini with Ricotta and Crispy Prosciutto is perfect in all its simplicity and embodies summer in every bite. Crunchy toasted pieces of bread, layered with rich creamy ricotta, topped with peaches and crispy prosciutto, and finished off with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze! With such a delightful combination of flavors and textures, these are perfect for an easy, quick appetizer. Prosciutto and peaches are an unlikely match made in heaven. And, things get even more interesting when we cook the prosciutto in a hot skillet that enhances its saltiness and makes it crunchy. What is Crostini? Crostini means “little crusts” in Itali

Skip to Recipe Tomato season is in full swing, which means we cannot get enough of the luscious juicy tomatoes that have made their way to the farmers' markets, grocery aisles, and even our backyard gardens. If you are looking for ways to put all of that sweet summer bounty to good use, then look no further. Caprese Salad or Insalata Caprese is one of those classic Italian recipes that let the pristine flavors of summer tomatoes shine. These skewers have everything you love about a traditional Caprese Salad but transformed into an easy appetizer ready to take on the go. Juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy balls of mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves, all threaded onto skewers and drizzled with a balsamic glaze for a simple yet impressive appetizer. With the perfect balance of flavors and textures, these Caprese Skewers truly capture the essence of summer. Here are some of the other Recipes that you can make this Summer:

Skip to Recipe Is there anything that beats the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house?If you have always wanted to try your hands at making bread, but the idea seemed daunting, then this recipe is the perfect place to get started. Classic Italian flavors shine through in this Tomato & Rosemary Focaccia. Light and chewy inside with a crisp exterior topped with rosemary and cherry tomatoes, this focaccia bread is the perfect accompaniment to a homemade soup, salad or a bowl of pasta. What is Focaccia? Focaccia ( pronounced fo-kah-cha) is a classic Italian oven-baked flat bread, similar in style and texture to pizza, that is drizzled with a healthy dose of olive oil and seasoned with fragrant herbs. Looking for more delicious holiday brunch recipes? You’ll love these too: Swedish Cinnamon Buns Spinach and Ricotta Rolls

Skip to Recipe No-cook summer meals can be a lifesaver, especially when the sun is blazing in through your windows, and all you want to do is sit and relax without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. For those sticky, sweaty, sweltering days, recipes like this Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad come to our rescue. Easy, light, and refreshing- this salad is an ode to all things summer. Juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, homemade pesto, and pasta are all tossed together to make this colorful and vibrant salad. Though the ingredients are simple, the flavors are incredible. We love this so much that it shows up at our dinner table a few times during the summer months. Why You will love this Salad? This salad is a no fuss recipe that calls for only a handful of ingredients, comes together in less than 20 minutes and with very little effort. Whether you're looking for a quick healthy lunch, or you are making this for a potl

Skip to Recipe Panna Cotta is a classic elegant dessert that comes straight from the heart of Italy. It means 'cooked cream' in Italian and has a texture very similar to that of a custard or pudding. Though it is easy to think of it as something very fancy and daunting to make at home, it is one of the easiest desserts that you can come across. Rich and creamy Panna Cotta that is topped with a fresh, gorgeous, and vibrant mixed berry compote- it is undeniably delicious. Since it is spring, the market is packed with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries and making a mixed berry compote is a delicious way to use up all of those berries! The Panna Cotta is lightly sweetened and perfectly creamy, hence it pairs wonderfully with the tart berry compote. This Berry Compote also makes the perfect topping for french toast, pancakes, cheesecake, or even ice cream. The possibilities are endless! This d

Skip to Recipe Easter season is upon us! Whether you are planning to celebrate with your family, or you are entertaining a crowd, I am sure you would like to put on a spectacular and decadent spread. But why not serve your guests a tantalizing appetizer to nibble on after all that egg hunting and before they dig into the big feast. Italian Tomato Basil Bruschetta is a classic, easy and delicious appetizer that is perfect in its simplicity! Fresh tomatoes, a good quality extra virgin oil, fresh basil, and a crusty bread are a few basic ingredients you need to make this-if you get these right, you can never go wrong! What is Bruschetta? Bruschetta, pronounced as ''brusketta'', is a classic Italian antipasto, or, appetizer, that’s made with perfectly crisp grilled bread and topped with a combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil. While bruschetta, with its history spanning centuries of Tuscan traditio

Skip to Recipe If there’s one thing Italy’s known for, it definitely has to be its food. Though Italian cuisine is known worldwide for being the home of pizza, pasta, but there is so much more to it. Each region of the food-loving country is defined by distinctly different dishes and flavors influenced by history and tradition. Visiting Italy two years ago was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to further delve into the wealth of gastronomic delights that the country offers. While I was blown away by the idyllic scenery of the Tuscan countryside, the Tuscan cuisine was a treat to my curious palate-unpretentious, seasonal and celebrating the use of simple and extremely fresh ingredients. After a tiring day of sightseeing, I finally sat down at a rustic trattoria and all I wanted was to dig into a simple and comfort meal. It was then, I came across the quintessential Tuscan dish, Lamb Ragu, which with its simple yet incredibly delici