Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe As much as I love to cook elaborate meals, sometimes all I need is a simple, decent meal after a grueling day. I believe that more ingredients always don't produce a tasty dish. Sometimes the beauty of food lies in the use of simple, fresh ingredients that can shine on their own. It has been a while since I shared a pasta recipe, so finally decided to share one. 30 minutes is all you need to make this delicious Spicy Sausage Pantry Pasta. It is a super easy and incredibly flavourful weeknight dinner recipe! And most importantly, you probably have all the ingredients hanging out in your kitchen cupboards already! Pasta paired with spicy Italian sausages-it is just a match made in heaven. Spicy chunks of sausages cooked in a homemade tomato garlic sauce, a heavy sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a touch of fresh basil -you’ll love every bite of this. With a side salad and a loaf of crusty bread, this is an easy dinne

Skip to Recipe I don't know about others- but I am addicted to cooking shows. After a long tiring day, I willingly submit myself to cooking stimuli. For me, they're the television equivalent of comfort food, something mindless that washes over the weariness of the whole day. And not to forget, they unleash my creativity in the kitchen. Holi, the "Festival of Colors" is just around the corner. Amidst the daily drudgery, Holi brings much-needed cheer and color to our lives. Back in India, the festival vibe is all about love, joy, laughter, and massive gastronomic spread. The mere thought of those delicacies is enough to get me drooling! Made with nuts, rose petals, and flavored with fragrant spices, Thandai is the quintessential Indian beverage made on the festive occasion of Holi. The word Thandai in Hindi refers to a refreshing drink that has a cooling effect. This time I decided to give the famous Italian Pannaco

Skip to Recipe Being someone who tries to take on more than one should, I know what it’s like to keep several balls in the air. I constantly keep striving for balance and at times, finding the time to pause becomes a herculean task. A friend of mine once said, "If you want to find the balance, you have to make peace with imperfections". How true! Just like our lives, the food we consume also needs a balance. The Mexican-inspired Chicken Burrito Bowl is the perfect example of a healthy, hearty meal that is filled with a balance of nutrients and, at the same time bursts with flavors. A burrito bowl is a deconstructed burrito without the tortilla. It has all of your favorite burrito-filling ingredients served over a bowl of rice. Loaded with juicy, grilled chicken, rice, black beans, corn, this recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner any day of the week. These bowls can easily be meal prepped for the week or turned into an easy

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?