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 Does anything sound better than a steaming hot mug of luscious Homemade Hot Chocolate when the cold weather hits? I don’t think so! It’s a constant during the colder months, and I can’t imagine the holiday season with it. Couple it with a fireplace and a fluffy blanket, and you've got the cure for even the coldest of winter nights. While you can stir cocoa powder into warm milk and call it a day, nothing compares to the rich, comforting goodness of a cup of homemade hot chocolate. Hot, simmering milk melds with semi-sweet chocolate, cacao powder, and a dash of maple syrup, all in one pot. It’s luscious and unapologetically decadent and feels like a hug! Hot Cocoa vs. Hot Chocolate Most people mistakenly identify hot chocolate and cocoa as the same beverage. However, they differ in the ingredients that is used to make them. Traditionally, hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, sugar and milk. On

Skip to Recipe Welcome back! Hopefully, you enjoyed the Christmas season with your family and friends and indulged in all the festive food. The glitz and the shimmer of the holiday have passed, and it is time to gear up for this new year with energy, zest, and a happy body. Right after the holidays, I always crave meals that are simple and light and don’t require slaving away in the kitchen for hours. When that happens, I turn to some of my favorite healthy soup recipes like this one. A hearty, comforting, elegant garlic-flavored soup that has the goodness of leeks, creaminess of potatoes and is topped with homemade croutons. Guaranteed to satisfy your soup cravings any wintery night. This Creamy Potato, Leek and Garlic Soup is wonderful served as an appetizer or entree with a generous pile of golden homemade croutons. I also recommend some fresh crusty bread and butter on the side for a complete meal. More Reason

Skip to Recipe It is the middle of November, and almost winter, which means less daylight, sluggish moods, and bleak weather that chills our insides. While winter may feel like it lasts forever when the months drag on, thankfully we have hearty comfort food that sticks to our ribs and helps us get through. And, if I am talking about comfort food, how can I forget the iconic Beef Bourguignon? Beef Bourguignon is one of the most acclaimed French recipes around the world and embodies the essence of French Slow cooking. As its name suggests, this stew originates from Burgundy, a French region well known for producing exceptional cattle meat as well as red wine, both of which are the star ingredients of this local dish. Tender chunks of beef are braised in red wine along with mushrooms, carrots, onions, and herbs for a robust, hearty, and soul-satisfying winter dinner. The star of the recipe is the beef, which is seared over

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 Nothing can be cozier than snuggling up on the couch, wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a warm drink in your hands on a winter night. And, when it comes to warm drinks, how can I forget the classic Mulled Wine. I was first introduced to this festive drink at a Christmas market in Germany. Standing out in the cold and sipping it while looking at all the glittering lights of the markets was a true Christmas Market experience. Mulled Wine is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, simmered along with aromatic whole spices that is enjoyed by people all over the world during the holiday season. It is also known as Glühwein, Glögg, or Vin Chaud, Vin Brulé, or any other name, depending on where in the world you live. Needless to say, it seems like just about everyone in the world loves this warm beverage. I love it too and it is something that I look forward to making every winter. This classic drink can be easil

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.