Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe We are just a few days away from Diwali–the festival of lights, and I am sure that the festive spirit is soaring high in each one of us. I think festivals are all about creating countless joyful memories with people we love that would last for a lifetime. So, even though throughout the year, I try to eat as healthy as possible, during these festivals, I let go of all my inhibitions and unapologetically indulge to my heart's content. Like most of us, a major part of my childhood memories hovers lovingly around festivals. My earliest memories of Diwali were that of my sister and me lighting up every nook and corner of the house with earthen diyas (or lamps), friends, and relatives visiting us to exchange Diwali greetings, and Mom making delectable desserts. But as a kid, what I used to look forward to was bursting different crackers that my Dad used to get from the market. Even after Diwali night, there wer

Skip to Recipe When we move to a new country, the first thing we do is get some furniture. And that’s exactly what I did after knowing about IKEA. It was a real experience walking into the store, and my first impression was that of awe. After walking several miles in a maze made of tiny fully-furnished micro-studio apartments, I had developed a pit in my stomach. Just as I was about to leave the store, I spotted the IKEA cafeteria and their plates piled with gravy-soaked meatballs. That was my first encounter with meatballs, and eventually, I got so obsessed with them that I would often make excuses to visit the store for lunch. As my fondness for cooking grew, I tried different versions of meatballs at home. I love how meatballs can be served in different ways-as an appetizer, as a main dish served over a bed of spaghetti, or even in a sandwich. However, I find meatballs with spaghetti to be a heavenly combination! Tender,

Skip to Recipe Seemingly-endless winter is just around the corner. Dragging myself out of comfy blankets while it’s cold outside is so difficult for me, and that’s where motivation comes in. And what can be made more motivating than being greeted by a warm and indulgent breakfast? Breakfast is the time when I soak in a few moments of peace, observe the weather and plan for the whole day. I have realised how carving out a little solitude in the mornings makes a world of difference to my whole day. The recipe that I am sharing will have you bouncing out of bed each morning and excited to start a brand new day.The Greek Yogurt Lemon Pancakes is an easy, delicious and wholesome breakfast recipe that your whole family will love. The yogurt and milk add plenty of moisture to the batter, making the pancakes extra soft and giving a protein boost. Are you looking for other healthy breakfast ideas?You can also check out my

Skip to Recipe Lately, as I wake up in the mornings, a string of beautiful memories comes flashing back. The festive season has officially begun in my home country, India. And this brings with itself a hollow realisation of everything that I have left behind- the joy of wearing new clothes, the delicacies made by my Mom and good times spent with friends. Thousands of kilometres away from home, a feeling of pervasive emptiness, and a pang of homesickness engulfs me. Over the years, the joy of going back home to near and dear ones has been replaced by video calls. For me, festivals have now become synonymous with good food. I try to create beautiful recipes at home just to bring in the feeling of festivity. And, how can any Indian festival be complete without some lip smacking desserts? The recipe that I am sharing today is a wonderful twist to the traditional Jalebis. Jalebis are one of the most popular and delectable s

Skip to Recipe It has been raining here for the past few weeks, and we are stuck inside our house. When I see the bright sunlight filtering through the clouds, it brightens up my day and uplifts my mood. On the other hand, waking up to a gloomy sky and wet weather always takes a toll on me. On days, when I am feeling down, whipping up a tasty, comforting meal acts as a relaxing retreat, and soothes my soul. A bowl of hearty, piping curry with steamed rice always melts my heart and brings a big smile on my face. It will be unfair of me if I talk about curry and do not include the recipe for the creamy Coconut Chicken Curry. A one-pan dish of tender chicken simmered in a rich coconut milk sauce, this curry bursts with flavors and comes together in just 30 minutes. If you love chicken,you can check out my Honey Sesame Chicken and Mexican Chicken Fajitas Just make this recipe

Skip to Recipe While it pains to bid farewell to summer, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is now officially upon us. After a great summer this year, I am now ready to welcome autumn with open arms. I am so in love with everything autumnal-the sound of the crispy leaves, the coziness of being inside and watching the rain through the window, the colours of the leaves changing into vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, and the list is endless. Everything seems magical to me this time of the year, and this magic lifts my creative spirit. With the cold nights drawing in, there’s nothing that quite compares to curling up on the couch with a warm bowl of soup. The Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup is healthy, light, and flavourful and is great as an appetizer or a light dinner. This simple and incredibly delicious soup will surely warm your soul on rainy and cold nights. So this autumn, make sure you’re all insula

Skip to Recipe What’s for dinner? This is the most asked question in our household. I must confess that as much as I love cooking, meal planning is something that is always on my dreaded chore list. Whenever I am too exhausted to cook or run out of fresh ideas, I try to stick with simple, reliable recipes that get my job done. I think the possibilities are endless when you have got pasta in the pantry. With a little imagination, you can put together a satisfying main dish by the time the pasta gets cooked. Made with homemade, rich tomato sauce and topped with juicy shrimps, this Tomato Shrimp Pasta is a great way to spice up your weeknight dinner. Cracking open a jar of store-bought sauce and pouring it into the pasta may seem very convenient to us on busy days. But, nothing beats the sauce that is made at home from scratch. It just tastes so much better and is healthier than the store-bought stuff. Roast