Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe As far as I recall, I have always been a fussy eater. I always made a face whenever I spotted any green vegetable on my plate. It was a struggle for my parents to get me to eat healthy food. They resorted to different ways from pleading to bribing, only to be met with stubborn refusal. Finally, they gave up. Years later, when I got married and moved to a new country, my attitude towards food changed. Having become a big advocate of healthy food now, I laugh at myself when I think how I had troubled my parents. When my efforts to lead my husband down a path filled with healthy stuff come off as nagging, he says, "You know, you are turning into a health freak Frankenstein." 😆 My husband is obsessed with pasta and I being the dutiful wife, love cooking food that my husband loves. The recipe that I am sharing today is one of his favorites. The Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta is probably one of ...

Skip to Recipe For most of us, Sunday is a fun day-a day to spend time with our family and loved ones and create marvelous memories together. I believe that the fondest memories are made when gathered around the table. On Sunday mornings, when we do have the time to slow down, my husband and I try to give each other undivided attention. We talk about the beautiful times that we have spent, our childhood memories, or plan for our next trip, though most of the time, the conversations turn into monologues, with me being the only one speaking. Needless to say, I am the talkative one in our marriage and never run out of words. The recipe that I am sharing today is one of my favorites, especially when we have friends coming over. On the weekends, when the pressure to get everyone out of the door is not there, why not use the time to whip up this indulgent breakfast for the family? With just a handful of ingredients, these ...

Skip to Recipe There is something magical at the beach. Watching the waves tap against the shore, wipes away all my worries, and calms down my mind. The soft sand, rolling waves, and endless sunshine speak to my soul. Are you a beach lover as well? With warm sun rays beaming and refreshing breezes flowing, are you dreaming of a beach vacation, and all things tropical? A single sip of this nutrient-rich drink can transport you there in an instant! Smoothies are one of my favorite ways of sneaking in plenty of fruits into my diet throughout the day. This Tropical Smoothie, prepared with seasonal fruits, is the perfect way to kick-start your morning or give you an afternoon boost. Packed with pineapples, mangoes, and coconut milk, this smoothie has everything to amaze your tastebuds! I love the creamy consistency the coconut milk gives to it, but if you're looking to make this smoothie lighter, you can also use...

Skip to Recipe We all love Fridays, and why not? We don't have to think about the next day, can snuggle up with family or friends, watch a movie we have been waiting long to see, or binge on Netflix. Our stomachs grumble for something good, and we reach for the phone to order from our favorite takeaway. I agree that takeout can be a total lifesaver on those nights when you come back home wearied after a long day of work,but it can end up making a dent in your wallet and health. So the next time, when you're craving Chinese food, ditch the takeaway and try making this Honey Sesame Chicken. This is one of my favorite Chicken recipes, and I can never get tired of eating this. Crispy chicken covered in sticky and sweet honey sauce garnished with toasted sesame seeds, this is irresistible! Can't deny it's not the healthiest meal with the honey and the oil to crisp up that chicken, but we al...

Having grown up, watching movies, I have had always idolized Paris as the city of love. So, when in 2014, I visited Paris, it was like a dream-come-true moment for me. The Eiffel Tower twinkling in the night was the most romantic spectacle I had ever seen. After a delectable dinner, when the quest for having a dessert had intensified, I discovered that almost every street in Paris had a creperie waiting to serve a piping, hot crepe. Watching the crepes being cooked, whirled, and filled right in front of my eyes was a visual treat. The delicate, fluffy, crepes served with warm chocolate sauce, it was love at first bite!. Crepes are soft, thin, and delicate French-style pancakes typically served for breakfast or dessert. So, what's in a basic crepe recipe? Traditionally, French crepes are prepared with just four basic ingredients, such as flour, milk, eggs, and butter. They are served with different sweet and savory toppings, but I normally ...

Some foods have the power to flood us with memories. They remind us of joyful times, emotional memories of people and places from our past. One such food is corn on the cob,(or Bhutta as popularly called in India)that continues to linger on my taste buds and fondly reminds me of the best days of my life. With the first monsoon rain falling on dry earth came the most pleasant fragrance of the entire universe. Growing up, my fondest memories of the monsoon have to be the charcoal-roasted corn on cobs from an old lady who sold them near our house on rainy evenings. Biting into the crunchy cob of corn roasted on an open fire, smeared with lemon juice, and salt, while watching the rain through the window was pure magic to all senses. Now, enough of going down the memory lane, lets come back to the present. It is officially summer here and no summer barbeque party is complete without corn. On warm, sunny days I love to have salads with refreshing flavors that I can whip up in...

Skip to Recipe Anyone who has read my previous posts will know that I am a huge fan of oats. Most of the weekdays, I like to start my day with a bowl of warm oatmeal. But as the summer months draw closer, I make the switch from a warm bowl of oatmeal to a pre-packed jar of overnight oats. These overnight oats are enticing enough to get even a late riser😉out of bed. What is Overnight Oats? Overnight oatmeal is a make-ahead breakfast option that is prepared the night before, giving you an instant healthy breakfast the next morning. It is easy to prepare(no cooking involved!) and perfect for those hectic mornings when you don't have the time to make breakfast. To make overnight oats, we need to soak rolled oats in milk and yogurt overnight that gives it the soft, creamy texture. In the morning, you can add your favorite toppings-fresh fruits and nuts and your healthy, satisfying breakfast is ready to rock. ...