Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe I can never say no to Chinese food! Whenever I am feeling down in the dumps or just having a bad day, I have one local Chinese takeaway that comes to the rescue and never fails to uplift my mood. One such recipe that I am extremely fond of whenever a craving for Chinese strikes is Kung Pao Chicken. The recipe can easily be recreated at home and you will have a winning dinner that the whole family will love! What is Kung Pao Chicken? Kung Pao Chicken is a famous Chinese dish with stir-fried chicken and crisp vegetables tossed in a delicious sweet and tangy sauce and topped with toasted peanuts for extra crunch. While the dish originated in the Sichuan province of China, it remains a common sight on the menus of all Chinese takeouts in countries around the world. The Kung Pao sauce has a right balance of flavors - sweet, savory with a hint of heat from the dry chillies. You really don’t need a

Skip to Recipe After the blitz of holiday parties and gatherings over the last month, I’m ready for a breather — both from intensive cooking and indulgent meals. Therefore, I am turning to meals that are light and quick and come together with the most minimal effort possible. Penne Alla Vodka is one of those recipes that sound so fancy, and yet is one of the most easiest , hands down. Fresh pasta tossed in a luscious and creamy vodka sauce to create a comforting dish you will find yourself making over and over again. Whether you need something impressive for a date night or a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner, Penne Alla Vodka is your answer. The Origin of Penne Alla Vodka Penne Alla Vodka is a classic dish that rose to popularity in the 1980s. There’s a measure of debate as to where and when it originated. Some food historians claim it was invented in Italy, while others say that it origanated in New York.

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 After taking a brief hiatus from blogging, I am glad to be back and have a BIG NEWS to share. It has finally happened. After dreaming about it for years, we haved moved to our new house, a place that we can call our own. The minute we walked in, my mind was racing with a score of immediate tasks that brooked no delay. The last few weeks were massively stressful, and were all about packing and unpacking boxes and scrambling to put things away. But all the hassle of moving was balanced by the joy and elation of embarking on this new journey. With each passing day, we are trying to transform this place into our dream home and I am enjoying every step along the way! Though the sabbatical from blogging afforded me the time to settle into the new environment, I was itching to get to my normal routine and share some interesting recipes from my new kitchen! Salmon is a good source of protein and is rich in omega 3 fatty

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 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 There was a time I used to love going to Mcdonald's (not that I don't love now). McDonald’s was my culinary Disneyland. It seemed to be the happiest place on earth. Every time I visited the place, I couldn't resist the temptation of ordering their burgers. As I waited for my food to arrive the excitement reduced me to infantile behavior. My eyes would flicker with delight at the sight of my burger slowly approaching, and with each bite I took, I was filled with euphoria. Ever since I developed an inclination towards cooking, I enjoy making burgers at home. I had been dreaming about them for a while, and finally had to give in to my temptation. Bursting with flavor, this Crispy Fried Fish Burger is a twist to the classic burger. A battered cod fillet topped with mayo, shredded vegetables, and served on a toasted bun. What can be better than this? Cod fillet that is crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, an

Skip to Recipe As much as I love to cook elaborate meals, sometimes all I need is a simple, decent meal after a grueling day. I believe that more ingredients always don't produce a tasty dish. Sometimes the beauty of food lies in the use of simple, fresh ingredients that can shine on their own. It has been a while since I shared a pasta recipe, so finally decided to share one. 30 minutes is all you need to make this delicious Spicy Sausage Pantry Pasta. It is a super easy and incredibly flavourful weeknight dinner recipe! And most importantly, you probably have all the ingredients hanging out in your kitchen cupboards already! Pasta paired with spicy Italian sausages-it is just a match made in heaven. Spicy chunks of sausages cooked in a homemade tomato garlic sauce, a heavy sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a touch of fresh basil -you’ll love every bite of this. With a side salad and a loaf of crusty bread, this is an easy dinne