Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe The last vestiges of winter are beginning to fade, and the vibrant spring is here to make our souls smile! Whether it is the fresh green grass just outside the window, bright yellow tulips blooming in the garden, or the crisp blue sky, spring adds a splash of colors to nature. I wonder how the world would look like if it is devoid of colors. After a long winter, I am excited to bring smoothies back into my morning routine and start my days off on a healthy note. While having a smoothie is a great way to add more veggies and fruits to our diet, I sometimes like turning it into a delicious bowl. The recipe that I am sharing today is a great way to celebrate the dynamic colors of spring. For those of you who are new to it, a smoothie bowl is a thick blend of fruits, vegetables, and topped with more healthy ingredients such as chia seeds, nuts, granola or muesli, sliced fruits. Compared to smoothies, they contain mor

Skip to Recipe The year was 2000, and I was ten years old. That was the first time I had visited a Chinese restaurant. I vividly remember the gold-colored dragon featured against a red background, the dim lights, and the ornate sculpture of Buddha paired with the Chinese artifacts. We were waiting for our food to arrive when those plates loaded with crispy spring rolls immediately caught my eye. I tugged my father by the arm, asking him to order some for me. As I bit into the roll, the audible crunch of the pastry was followed by the warm filling that enveloped not just my mouth, but all my senses. The memories remain fresh. Since then, ordering these rolls became customary every time I visited a Chinese restaurant. Packed with ground chicken and vegetables, wrapped up and fried to perfection-these Chinese Spring Rolls are downright delicious! These will rival the ones you order at your favorite local takeaway. The b

Skip to Recipe Every one of us has those days when we’re just not feeling it. The last few days were such for me. I was mentally and physically exhausted, and the last thing I wanted to do was crawl out of bed and tackle the day. I was standing near my window when I saw few kids enjoying themselves in the park. Looking at them reminded me of my childhood when life was much simpler and happier, and embracing the small things of life brought a sense of deep contentment. As we grow older, we seem to be in an endless pursuit of happiness, and yet happiness keeps eluding us. Maybe because we keep seeking it in the wrong places and start ignoring the simple joys of life. I decided to treat myself to one of my favorite breakfasts. And, I was surprised to see how the simple act of making a meal for myself brightened up my gloomy mood and brought a big smile to my face. The Croissant French Toast Casserole combines buttery, f

Skip to Recipe This morning I found myself in a quandary, standing in front of an open fridge and wondering "What do I cook today?" I asked the man of the house what his preferences would be, and like most of the times, “anything” came the reply. Downhearted to hear the answer, I decided to put on my thinking cap. After an elaborate meal on the weekend, my refrigerator was loaded with mashed potatoes. Though my love for mashed potatoes is profound, I do have to admit that the joy of the first day’s eating vanished by the second day, and by the third day, I vowed not to eat them for the next few months! It was time to give them a makeover and turn them into an exciting breakfast. The Cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes are indulgent, super easy to whip up, and make for a great breakfast or appetizer that everyone will go crazy for! Crispy fried on the outside, soft, and so cheesy on the inside! Can it get any better than this?

Skip to Recipe The season of love is here, and the whole world is gearing up to celebrate Valentine´s Day. Many people believe that a single day is not enough to celebrate the spirit of love. True! But here's the thing: if we don't celebrate special occasions, what would separate one day from the other? I'm always on the lookout for a reason to celebrate. I am a firm believer that once in a while life concedes elusive moments. They're moments just waiting to be celebrated and cherished! And, embracing these moments of sheer happiness make the story of our lives meaningful. One of the ways I like to pamper the person I love is by preparing a thoughtful meal at home. It may sound cliche, but good food is the way to my husband´s heart. Since every celebration deserves a decadent finale, I am sharing today an easy and delicious dessert that will sweep your better half off their feet. Chocolate Panna Cotta

Skip to Recipe While growing up, my parents always stressed the importance of food and how we were lucky to have it on our plates in a world where food crisis was a stark reality. At the dining table, my Mom ensured that nothing got wasted. Being a resourceful home cook, she was very good at improvising with whatever she had on hand and could magically transform any leftovers into memorable meals. This trait of being resourceful in the kitchen is something that I have imbibed from her. I keep on scouring the refrigerator every single day, making sure that nothing goes wasted. Whenever I have a random assortment of veggies calling out to be eaten, I make these Vegetable Teriyaki Noodles. A quick and easy vegetarian meal of crisp vegetables and noodles tossed in a simple homemade teriyaki sauce- this is scrumptious. The Teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes with simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry. You can st

Skip to Recipe Although I enjoy my share of refined cuisine and elaborate meals at restaurants, nothing piques my palate as much as street food. As a kid, the crowded street food stall near my house would manage to draw my attention every time I passed through it. It would become nearly impossible to control the urge to dig into the mouthwatering dishes. Years have passed, and my love for street food persists. When I travel to a new country, I make sure that I explore the street foods as it gives me an insight into that culture. This week let us take a virtual stroll through the bustling streets of Thailand and pick up some of the delectable Thai Fish Cakes. Thai Fish Cakes or Tod Mun Pla are a quintessential part of Thailand’s street food. With just a handful of ingredients, it is easy to recreate the same version at home. What makes these unique is their light and fluffy texture. Each bite of the fish cakes is bursting with flavor