Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe With summers in full swing, I like to have meals that are light, but at the same time satisfying. And hence, I am obsessed with Buddha Bowls! If you spend some time scrolling through Instagram, you would probably know how immensely popular these bowls are! But for those who are new to this term, a Buddha Bowl is a colorful, vegetarian bowl that is packed with dense nutrients that fuel your body and mind. A traditional Middle Eastern dish, falafels are patties made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and aromatic spices like cumin and coriander, and then deep-fried until crisp golden brown on the outside and tender in the middle. You can stuff them in wraps, pita, and even use them in salads! Gluten-free, Vegan, and packed with herbs, these are a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite! The secret to the authentic falafel is soaking the chickpeas overnight. Though you may get tempted to use canned chickpeas, using them...

Skip to Recipe As summer rolls in, nostalgia hits me. It takes me back to times when summers were synonymous with freedom. Summer meant a break from school, the time spent outdoors, and a trip to my grandparents' home. But the main highlight was the anxious anticipation of the 'Popsicle Man,' whose bicycle ambled through the neighborhood delivering frozen treats to children of all ages. Whenever I would hear the sound of the bell, usually a block away, I would hurriedly run to my room and pull few coins out of my piggy bank before the man went away. Every inch of my existence was held unto that moment when my lips hungrily met the ice. It felt almost like a glance into heaven as the ice slipped under my tongue. The popsicle didn't take long to melt, leaving behind stained lips and sticky fingers. No gourmet dish can ever beat the happiness that a popsicle gave us back then. Though we cannot travel back to those days, we can always recreate t...

Skip to Recipe With the summer solstice just around the corner and the warm weather set to stay for a while, I am making the most out of summer. On hot, summer days, the last thing I want to do is stand over a steaming stovetop for a long time. And, hence always on the lookout for no-fuss quick recipes that make dinner time a breeze! Nothing smells like summer quite as much as fragrant basil. With a bountiful harvest of basil in my balcony garden, homemade pesto sauce is a must in our household. Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce made with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, salt, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It’s simple, flavorful, and can be so prepared easily at home. While store-bought ones taste good, nothing compares to the flavor of homemade! Basil pesto spaghetti topped with juicy, roasted tomatoes and grilled salmon- this recipe has got all the flavors of summer packed into it! It is a healthy, light, and satisfying meal th...

Skip to Recipe Finally, the temperature has started soaring high, and it seems like the most coveted season, Summer, is here. Looking outside to find the sun shining bright makes me want to enjoy the beautiful world and connect with nature. And what better way to celebrate and relish summer's bounty than a fresh drink in hand! Whether you are having friends over, grilling in the backyard, or just looking for something fun to sip on after a long day of work, this Pineapple Strawberry Punch is sure to please everyone! Colorful, flavorful, and so refreshing, this Pineapple Strawberry Punch has it all! A delicious blend of sweet strawberries, pineapple, lemons, and ginger ale- this is the ultimate way to quench your thirst on a hot summer day. Made with real fruits and herbs, this drink can be served as a non-alcoholic drink option at a family party, and can be enjoyed by kids as well. Are you looking for othe...

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 Summer is officially still a month away! I know it seems a little early to start sharing BBQ recipes, but I couldn’t wait any longer to share this one with you. When it’s warm out, there’s nothing better than a bowl of fresh colorful salad! I am a picky eater when it comes to salad, but this one is so good that I keep coming back to this time and again! With whole grain pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, fresh cilantro, this Southwest Pasta Salad is as bright and sunny as a warm summer day. It is slightly spicy, sweet, and has all the flavors of our favorite tacos. But the real secret lies in the homemade roasted pepper cashew dressing. It is creamy, flavourful, and insanely delicious! The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can be used in about as many ways as you can think of- as a salad dressing, as a dip with a platter of crackers and vegetables, a tasty spread on sandwiches, a...

Skip to Recipe Though chia seeds have been there in the market for a pretty long time, it was only a few years ago that I came to know about them from an article. Initially, their consumption was limited to smoothies, but when puddings made with chia seeds came popping up on my Instagram feed, I knew it was time for me to give it a try! And to my surprise, it turned out awesome, and I was hooked. When the temperature rises, our breakfast staple oatmeal takes a backseat and enters CHIA SEED PUDDING. Filled with wholesome ingredients, this creamy Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding is a healthy, nourishing, and satisfying breakfast that comes together in no time. All you have to do is blend, mix, and set it into the refrigerator overnight. And, you will wake up to a delicious meal ready for you in the morning with minimal effort! Brilliant, isn’t it? Scented with vanilla, cinnamon and loaded with fresh blueberries, this pudding is simply amazing! Despite...