Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe As the weekend rolls around, the favourite dishes from the takeaway menu call louder than ever. However, I love imitating those recipes at home as they take out the time, energy and expense of going out. Plus, they taste just as good as the real thing. The recipe I am sharing this week is inspired by the staple appetizer, Chicken Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang's restaurant. These Chicken Lettuce Wraps feature ground chicken and veggies in an addictive sweet and salty sauce all nestled in crisp butter lettuce leaves. The perfect low-carb dinner for busy weeknights! WHY THIS RECIPE WILL BECOME YOUR NEW FAVORITE There’s a lot to love about these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Here’s what makes them a favorite in my home: HEALTHIER TAKE ON A RESTAURANT CLASSIC: These wraps are made using fresh ingredients and have the same flavor as you would enjoy in a Chinese resta...

Skip to Recipe When the weather warms up in spring, I try making room for those meals that are light and refreshing. With a bounty of spring veggies incoming, what better way to get your fresh food fix than eating a colorful salad? This Crunchy Thai Quinoa Edamame Salad is a healthy and vibrant salad that is packed will flavor and at the same time full of nutrients. Loaded with fluffy quinoa, colorful crunchy veggies, protein-rich edamame and a nutty, creamy peanut dressing that ties everything together, this is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave you craving for more! It is completely plant-based and packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it extremely wholesome and satisfying. Oh, and the best part ? It gets ready in just 20 minutes and stores beautifully in the fridge, making it a great option for busy weekdays. INGREDIENTS IN THIS THAI-INSPIRED QUINOA SALAD Quinoa...

Skip to Recipe Longer, brighter days are here, and with the change of seasons comes a ton of new recipes. Nothing captures the essence of spring like a vibrant plate of Pasta Primavera. Al dente pasta and crisp-tender spring vegetables are tossed in a light creamy sauce, and sprinkled with generous amount of Parmesan. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner to serve your guests, Pasta Primavera delivers a satisfying combination of freshness and comfort. ORIGINS OF PASTA PRIMAVERA While Pasta Primavera means “spring pasta” in Italian, the dish itself is entirely American. This pasta rose to popularity when it appeared on the menu at New York’s Le Cirque restaurant in the 1970s, and became one of the most buzzy dishes in the city at the time, and quickly trickled down to restaurants across the country. WHY YOU WILL LOVE THE RECIPE? Vegetarian : This pasta i...

Skip to Recipe Are you on the look out for a speedy midweek meal? My 30-Minute meal is perfect for those busy nights- super easy, quick, minimal ingredients but you know you’ve got a well-balanced meal that the whole family will enjoy. The Caribbean Coconut Salmon Curry is a vibrant dish that brings the vibrant, exotic flavors of the Caribbean islands to your dinner table. Perfectly seasoned salmon fillets pan-seared and combined with a robust, super flavorful and scrumptious coconut curry. Pair alongside some white rice and/or some steamed vegetables for an epic weeknight-friendly meal! WHY YOU WILL LOVE THE RECIPE? Simple Yet Impressive : This dish comes together with a handful of simple ingredients, and gets ready in under an hour, making it perfect for a cozy night in or even a dinner party where you want to wow your guests without spending hours in the kitchen. ...

Skip to Recipe Waking up to a gloomy sky and wet weather always takes a toll on me. On days, when I am feeling down, and a bit depressed, whipping up a tasty, comforting meal acts as a relaxing retreat, soothes my soul and helps me get through. A quick curry always hits the spot, and this Vegan Thai Red curry is no exception! Crisp-tender, colourful vegetables and tofu are cooked in a fragrant, luxuriously creamy coconut broth for a hearty, satisfying, and plant-based meal. WHAT IS THAI CURRY PASTE? Traditionally, Thai red curry paste is made with lemongrass, shallots, garlic, spicy dried red chillies, peppercorns, kaffir lime zest, cilantro roots and fermented shrimp paste. IS THAI RED CURRY PASTE VEGAN? Not all store-bought Thai red curry pastes are vegan, as most of them contain shrimp paste. I like to use the brand Thai Kitchen because it is vegan, and easy to find in most well-stocked grocery stores. ...

Skip to Recipe One pot meals are my favorite. Perfect for those busy nights- super easy, quick, minimal ingredients but packed with flavors that the whole family will enjoy. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a cozy Italian trattoria with our irresistible Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi. Soft, pillowy gnocchi tossed in a rich and creamy sauce together along with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, making it a winning weeknight dinner! WHAT IS GNOCCHI ? Gnocchi (pronounced nyo-kee) is a traditional Italian pasta that is made with flour and potatoes, or with semolina. They look like little dumplings and are often cooked in the same way as pasta. WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE? This is one of those ridiculously easy recipes that is ready on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect when you’re pressed for time. With few simple ingredients—none of which are out of the ordinary—this Creamy Sun-Dried Toma...

Skip to Recipe Indonesia is a food lover's paradise and undoubtedly one of the world’s top destinations for street food if you want to give your tastebuds a real treat. When it comes to Indonesian cuisine, Nasi Goreng has to be the most popular dish that everyone thinks of in the first place. This stir fried rice is an iconic street food of the country and has made its way into kitchens and restaurants across the world. WHAT IS NASI GORENG? Nasi Goreng translates to "Fried Rice" in Indonesian and Malay-and that’s exactly what it is! It is rice that is fried along with veggies and some sort of protein. It has been called the national dish of Indonesia with every eatery, no matter how large or small, serving a version of its own. What distinguishes it from other fried rice dishes is the umami flavor, from the Kecap Manis – a sweet soy sauce that caramelizes and gives the rice its distinctive dark brown c...

Skip to Recipe As the weekend rolls around, the favourite dishes from the takeaway menu call louder than ever. However, making them yourself will help you save money and impress your entire family at the dinner table. Chicken Lo Mein is one such classic dish that we always love to order again and again. Today, I will share my version of the recipe that hits the spot when you’re craving Chinese take-out, except this version is quicker, tastier and a lot healthier. Stir-fried vegetables, tender pieces of chicken and egg noodles are tossed in a flavorful savory sauce to create the most satisfying Chicken Lo Mein. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LO MEIN AND CHOW MEIN Lo Mein and Chow Mein are two Chinese noodle dishes that are sometimes used interchangeably. While both of them have similar ingredients, the key difference lies in the way they are cooked. Chow Mein refers to stir-fried noodles, while Lo Mein means tossed noodles. ...