Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe This blog post has been created in partnership with Gangwal Naturals. But all the thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are my own. Persian cuisine, also known as Iranian cuisine, is ancient, rich and one of the world's finest. From savory stews to succulent grilled meats and luscious desserts, the gastronomy celebrates taste and traditions that have been lovingly passed down through generations. Kabab Koobideh, or Persian Ground Meat Kebabs, a signature of the Persian cuisine is cherished for its exquisite flavors and has become an integral part of the country's culinary landscape. These Kebabs are extremely moist, juicy, flavourful, practically melts in your mouth and are easier to make at home than you might think! WHAT IS KOOBIDEH? Kabab Koobideh is a traditional Persian dish that is made with ground lamb, ground beef, or a blend of both, seasoned with onions, salt and pepper. Th...

Skip to Recipe Summer is one of the best times to get together with friends and family. Chances are, your summer calendar is stacked with backyard cookouts, potlucks, gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a party, or going on a potluck or picnic, you can never go wrong with a delicious salad when it’s hot outside. With a rainbow of fresh, colorful veggies, protein-packed chickpeas, and a bright zesty dressing, this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is the real crowd-pleaser. It is low-key, big on flavors, and can be whipped up in a pinch. While this salad certainly shines in warmer weather ( especially with garden-grown tomatoes) there’s never a bad time to indulge in such a healthy, colorful and satisfying salad! SALAD INGREDIENTS Chickpeas: The star of this recipe is Chickpeas. Chickpeas are a plant-based source of protein, high in fiber and help you keep satisfied for longer. You can use d...

Skip to Recipe There's nothing that screams summer as much as cherry tomatoes. While they can be found in the supermarket all year long, it's during summers when are in their full glory-sweetest, juiciest and most flavorful. And if you're growing your own, it's when they're most abundant, too! What do you do with all those gorgeous bunch of tomatoes in the backyard that are all ready to be picked at the same time? This Cherry Tomato Pasta is one of those recipes that I make all summer long. It is light, comforting and bursting with fresh summer flavors. WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE A quick and elegant weeknight dinner that will become a staple! It comes together in 20 minutes and with minimal ingredients that are easy to get your hands on. Ideal for meatless Mondays, it’s a dish that the whole family will love. If you...

Skip to Recipe With the warmer weather finally here, it's time to kick back and relax with good food, friends and drinks. If you are bored of cooking the same meals for your friends and looking to kick things up a notch in the kitchen, try this Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. This Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich features deep-fried, crispy chicken smothered in a fiery hot sauce, topped with crunchy coleslaw and pickles served inside toasted buns! WHAT IS NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH? Nashville Hot Chicken, the fiery take on classic Southern Fried Chicken, has been a staple in Middle Tennessee since 1945 and is now one of America's most coveted culinary treasures. The secret to this Chicken lies in the fiery hot sauce. Crispy fried chicken gets drenched in a Nashville hot sauce, which is made by mixing hot oil, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and other spices and seasonings. This sauce gives the chicken its s...

Skip to Recipe When summer rolls around, we always find excuses to fire up the grill. Whether we’re looking to cook something special for an easy weeknight dinner or BBQ party, grilled skewers are one of our go-to’s all season long. Embark on a culinary journey to the Hawaiian islands with these Huli Huli Chicken Skewers and say aloha to the island life! These Huli Huli Chicken Skewers feature chicken breast infused in a sweet pineapple brine that imparts tangy-sweet flavors, and grilled until perfectly charred. Serve them with grilled pineapple slices and rice for the perfect tropical meal. WHAT IS HULI HULI CHICKEN? Huli Huli Chicken is a dish that perfectly captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine. Beloved for its balance of sweet and tangy flavors, Huli Huli Chicken is an island classic. The word 'huli' means “to turn” in native Hawaiian language, hence the name comes from the need to turn or flip the chick...

Skip to Recipe Weekend getaways, dinners cooked outside, and drinks on the deck. Yes, that’s what summer is all about! With summer slowly approaching, I want to share a recipe that has everything you need to make your next summer cookout unforgettable. These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are bursting with fresh, delicious, and summery flavors! Tender, succulent chicken pieces are loaded onto the skewers, grilled to perfection, and slathered with a sweet, tangy and spicy Bang Bang sauce. WHAT DOES BANG BANG SAUCE TASTE LIKE? Bang Bang Sauce is a rich, sweet and spicy sauce, extremely versatile, that pairs well with grilled meat, fried seafood, veggies or anything that needs a boost of bold flavors. It is so addictive that you’ll want to try it on everything. You can easily play with the spice level or amount of sweetness depending on what you’re serving it with. CAN THE SKEWERS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME? ...

Skip to Recipe We’re obsessed with salsas during the summer months, and I have shared quite a few of those recipes previously here. Here, is another recipe that you can make before we bid farewell to summer. Loaded with slices of pineapple, juicy strawberries, red onion, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro all tossed together and seasoned with lime juice, this Strawberry Pineapple Salsa is the summer appetizer of your dreams! Sweet, tangy and spicy, this Salsa is a fresh spin on the classic Tomato Salsa. It has got the sweet flavors of a fruit salsa matched with the spicy deliciousness of a traditional salsa. WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS STRAWBERRY PINEAPPLE SALSA Quick and easy: This Salsa can be whipped up in no time! Just chop all the fruits and veggies, and your salsa is practically made – no special skills required! Fresh and delicious: Bursting with fresh and vi...

Skip to Recipe Fried chicken sandwiches are all the rage right now! You can find one at just about every fast food restaurant, and they’re all so finger-licking good! Now, I am usually not a kind of person who loves fried food, but I do make the exception for these burgers. This homemade version of a Crispy Fried Chicken Burger has all the crunch and flavors you crave for! Once you’ve had a bite of these burgers, your KFC trips will be a thing of the past! 😀 With juicy,ultra crispy chicken fillets and all the toppings inside toasted buns, these Crispy Fried Chicken Burgers are big on flavor and insanely delicious. Ultimate dinner for fried chicken lovers! What makes these Chicken so flavorful? Buttermilk is the not-so-secret key ingredient in this recipe. The chicken breast fillets are marinated in a spicy buttermilk mixture, drenched in seasoned flour and deep-fried resulting in crispy, tender and juicy chicke...