Ikreate Passions

Halloween Recipes by Chef Om Nayak, Pasta Bowl Company

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

CAPPELLACCI DI ZUCCA : Fresh Stuffed Pasta

Serves 5 portions

Ingredients

5 eggs
350 grams pasta flour, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon Olive oil for marination of Butter nut pumpkin
1 garlic clove
600 grams butternut pumpkin
100 grams freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
Freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper
100 grams butter
Fresh sage leaves

Method

Making the Dough

Mix Eggs, Flour and salt. Knead Well. About 3 mins should be ok. Keep it for 30 mins.

Making the Filling

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a baking sheet. Peel and Cut the Pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and cut into small dices Bake the squash for 45 mins along with garlic or until well cooked
Place it in a bowl, mesh it well, stir in the cheese and grate the nutmeg and some crushed pepper corns and mix well.

Making the Pasta

Roll out the pasta dough very thin so as to literally see the yellowish filling inside
Cut the pasta sheet into 2 ½ inch squares.
Place 1 spoon of filling and stick the parallel ends together to form a triangle and then stick the other ends together for form the Cappellacci.
In boiling water, cook Cappellacci for 3-4 mins approximately or Until firm or as they say “Al Dente”
Melt the butter in a pan and add sage leaves
Transfer Cappellacci to the pan, add few spoons of stock if needed.
Check on the seasoning.
Top up with some Parmesan Cheese. Serve Hot.

RISOTTO ALLA ZUCCA Italian Creamy Rice

Serves 5 portions

500 grams Arborio Rice

300 grams Roasted Butter Nut Pumpkin

120 grams Butter

100 grams Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

2 grams rosemary leaves

2 cloves of Garlic

3 table spoon chopped Onion

1.25 ltr Stock

Salt

Pepper

Method

To the pan add butter, garlic and onions. Sauté till transparent
Add roasted Butternut Pumpkin and Arborio Rice
While stirring, keep adding stock in the batches of 250 ml each
Once half done add rosemary leaves
After adding all the stock OR nearing Rice being soft add Parmesan Cheese
Check Seasoning and add crushed black pepper
Serve Hot

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Masala House- An outstanding culinary experience!

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Masala House serves as a perfect place to tantalise your taste buds with some Modern Indian Cuisine. Each and every item on the menu feels like hand picked and curated with a lot of dedication and detailing, both in terms of taste and presentation. Spread across two floors, the ambience is comfortable, cosy and inviting enough for you to spend some relaxed time gorging on good food in company of your family or friends.

Katafi Wrapped Achari Arbi and Asparagus Paddu were the first ones to appear on our table, one look at them and my confidence in the taste increased multifolds, as both the dishes looked extremely tempting. Even taste wise, both of them were great. I am not a big fan of arbi otherwise, but this one was really nicely done.

Dahi Kebab, Murg Luqmi, Kadi Patta Jheenga and Dill Salmon Tikka were the other starters we tried and again all of them were delicious. I personally enjoyed the Murg Luqmi and Dill Salmon Tikka the most.

Coming to the main course, there was a wide variety to choose from, but our selection included Amritsari Wadi Tarkari, Khatti Tadka Dal, Palak Moti, Pota Kaleji Shitake, Bafat Masala Fish, Moge Wala Kukkad, Dum Biryani and Chur Chur Naan Platters. I loved the chur chur naan platter, the non veg one, which had keema stuffed naans, which I relished with some dal makhani. The pota kaleji shitake was a unique dish with this combination of kaleji and mushrooms and it was really nice. Moge wala kukkad aka our very own butter chicken was good too, I loved the balanced flavours, so as that neither it was too sweet nor too spicy, but just the way it should be. Another dish that I really enjoyed was the palak moti, creamy palak gravy with creamier mascarpone cheese, it was delectable.

Desserts included Gajar Halwa Kunafa and Saffron Pear Malai Chaap, and once again, the presentation bowled me over. Taste wise I enjoyed the Gajar Halwa Kunafa more, though it could have been sweeter, but it was nice.

I really look forward to another foodie experience at Masala House, and I urge you to give it a try, I am sure you won’t be disappointed.

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Halloween Cocktail Recipes by Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Halloween is just around the corner, so what special are you drinking..?

Here are some interesting cocktail recipes for you to try and indulge in, so make the most of it and do share your feedback

Cocktails Recipes- Courtesy, Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi

Sangria (Red cocktail)

Ingredients Quantity

Red wine 120 ml

Cognac 15ml

Triple Sec 15 ml

Seasonal fruits as required

Method

Cut up the seasonal fruits into thin slices or wedges. Leave the peels on.
Transfer the cut fruit to a pitcher.
Uncork the Red Wine and pour it over the fruit.
Measure the Cognac and pour it into the pitcher as well.
Measure and pour triple sec into the pitcher.
Stir the Red Wine, Cognac, Triple Sec and fruit together.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Sangria gets softer, sweeter, and much more delicious overnight in the fridge.
When ready to serve, top off the Sangria with sparkling water.
Stir gently to combine.
Taste and add more if desired. Scoop a few pieces of fruit into each glass when serving.

Witch’s Spell (Blue cocktail)

Ingredients Quantity

Vodka 45 ml

Blue curacao 15 ml

Lemon juice 5 ml

Orange juice 5 ml

Orange Spiral for garnish

Method

Measure and pour Vodka into the cocktail shaker.
Measure and pour Blue Curacao into the cocktail shaker.
Measure and pour Lemon Juice into the cocktail shaker.
Measure and pour Orange Juice into the cocktail shaker.
Mix the Vodka, Blue Curacao, Lemon Juice and Orange Juice together.
Garnish the top off the Witch’s Spell glass with orange Spiral.

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Music For Well-Being: 11 Positive Effects Of Music On Health

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Music for me is something that soothes my soul, it sets me free, lifts up my mood and helps me unwind in the most relaxing manner.

Music doesn’t provide just entertainment, but also has lots of positive effects on our health. I came across this wonderful article on Music for Well Being: 11 Positive Effects of Music on Health.

Read the full article here

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How To Recover From Your Workout At Home

Posted on October 20, 2017January 13, 2022 by Aditi Malhotra

It’s all too easy to go a little too hard when you’re working out because when that adrenaline is rushing around your body, you tend to push yourself further than you intended, and then you’re left sore and aching, unable to workout or do anything of use for a few days. Luckily, there are ways that you can recover faster than normal so that you can get yourself back in the gym for another workout.

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Can You Really Do What You Want for a Living?

Posted on October 18, 2017October 18, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Have you ever wanted to make money from just doing whatever you want? It sounds ludicrous, but turning your hobby into a career is a real possibility if you know what steps to take. However, it doesn’t come without its downsides. If you’re interested in turning something you love into a career, then here are some things to consider.

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There’s a tough road ahead of you

Compared to going for an interview and hoping to get a job, trying to turn your passions into a career will be incredibly difficult. There’s no straight path to your dream job, you have to work hard and take whatever opportunities life gives you. As said by the late entrepreneur Jim Rohn, if you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

Logical step to making a career of a hobby

First, you have to identify what your hobbies actually are. This sounds silly, but there’s a good reason for confirming what exactly it is you want to turn into a career. For instance, you might have multiple hobbies that you think you’re good at, but if you split your time between too many then you’ll spread your time too thinly.

Once you’ve settled on something to turn into a career, it’s time to figure out how you can turn it into a career. The first option is to sell your knowledge. This can be in the form of an eBook you’ve written or you can teach others. For instance, if you’re great at playing the piano then you can start your own private lessons. If you’re good at art, then you could teach art classes on the internet or in person.

Making a living out of creative hobbies

If your hobby is something creative such as producing music or painting, then you can also go the route of teaching others. However, you can also create things using your creative skills and sell those.

For instance, if you’re good at art then you can sell prints on the internet or you could place your designs onto shirts and sell those. If you’re good at playing an instrument and producing music, then you can record your songs and sell them on the internet or Nationwide Disc Replication to sell at a convention, public event or store. It’ll feel fantastic to be creative, make what you want and be able to make a living from it. There are many ways to sell your creative work on the internet, but it relies on something crucial: social media.

Marketing through social media

Social media is perhaps the best way to market your services or products. It’s the cheapest way to get noticed and with one or two viral videos, you can quickly build a large following. Sometimes the brand name and your message are more important than your actual products, so don’t neglect the importance of building a name around your work.

As you can see, it’s possible to make a living doing something you love, but it’s not an easy road and you need to make use of every opportunity you’re given.

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When It Comes to a Healthy Lifestyle, Don’t Rush!

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and it pays to keep this in mind when it comes to getting yourself a healthier lifestyle. You see, the biggest pitfall in changing one’s lifestyle and making it healthier is the fact that when it is rushed it is more likely to be ruined. And when the changing of a lifestyle is ruined, it’s hard to get momentum back to attempt it again. So, don’t rush your lifestyle change! And for advice on the best ways to do this, make sure to read on.

Image source

Don’t attempt changes that are too drastic

The biggest pitfall in the road of making your lifestyle far healthier is the first one that is faced: the shock to the system that it induces. This shock is brought about by the fact that a massive change has occurred within your body, especially when the change is because of the fact that you have cut out unhealthy habits in your life, and it is shock that can make you give up on your lifestyle change before you even really get started with it.

In order to beat this pitfall and this shock, you should never make changes to your lifestyle that are too drastic. Instead, you should ease these changes in and have them occur naturally, rather than forcefully. This could mean gradually cutting down on cigarette intake with each day that passes or swapping cigarettes for a far healthier smoking instrument, such as a vape, entirely. It could mean cutting down on trips to your local pub or club and subsequently cutting down on your alcohol intake rather than cutting alcohol out entirely. Or it could mean forging that little snack you have been meals or replacing it with, say, a carrot stick.

The point is, there is no point in making too drastic a change to your lifestyle, even when your intentions for doing so are to make it healthier, because it will make you more likely to fail with it even before it has began.

Take your time with everything that you do

Not only should you not attempt changes that are too drastic, but you should also take as much time as you need to attempt whatever it is you are attempting. You should do this because of the fact that everybody works at their own pace and grows at a different pace to others, even those that they are closest to.

For instance, one weight loss system may work and work quicker for one member of a family, but may not work for another. And, the fact that, say, your brother is losing weight quicker than you shouldn’t disgruntle you. You should take YOUR time when losing weight, not your brothers. You should do things that your body can withstand.

Everybody works at different paces, and all bodies can withstand different changes. It’s important to remember this when attempting to make your lifestyle a lot healthier. And it’s important to ease yourself into whatever changes you attempt.

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Mind Over Matter: Signs Your Brain Isn’t As Healthy As Your Body

Posted on October 16, 2017April 17, 2020 by Aditi Malhotra

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Physically health is all the rage in 2017. What with chefs pushing healthy meals and the effects of the consumption of meat, people are aware of the dangers to their body. Sadly, the majority of us don’t have the first clue about mental health. The old school may think it is unimportant, but the mind is the key to a happy and healthy life. Once it starts to fail, it’s an uphill battle which is difficult to win. With that in mind, it’s essential to spot the signs when they appear.

Below is how to tell your mind is fit and healthy.

You Think You Have An Illness

In the past, there was one term for mental illness and it wasn’t nice. Nowadays, diseases range from schizophrenia to bipolar and depression. The key is to watch out for the warning signs and act as soon s possible. Anyone who is unsure where to start can read more about the symptoms of bipolar depression and other mental illnesses online. If the symptoms match what you feel, the next step is to see a doctor or a specialist. One thing you should never do is bottle it up inside. Over time, the feelings get worse and explode spectacularly.

You Have Difficulty Managing Anger

You don’t have to suffer from an illness to be mentally unfit. Sometimes, struggling to deal with feelings of anger can be a sure-fire sign something is wrong. Again, it doesn’t mean you have to see a doctor or check into an institute. Usually, what it means is that there is an ailment which is causing the outbursts. Stress is a prime example. High cortisol levels tend to make it difficult to be patient or think about emotions rationally. As a result, you may lash out and have a short fuse. Meditating can reduce cortisol production and help control your temper.

You’re Experiencing Weight Loss

There are lots of reasons for weight loss, one being you are eating a balanced and healthy diet. But, dramatic weight loss is a problem which needs addressing as soon as possible. Usually, it has nothing to do with the physical form but the mental. Again, stress is a factor which can cause you to shed lots of weight because it prevents you from eating. Also, the way you view your body may be unhealthy. Young women suffer from this a lot due to peer pressure, but men have body issues too. Anyone who doesn’t eat to stay thin isn’t thinking logically.

You’re Fatigued

Don’t treat being tired and fatigued as the same thing because there are differences. Tiredness stems from a lack of sleep and can is easy to remedy. Fatigue is a mental problem which occurs as a result of the burden of responsibility. No matter how early you go to bed, the feeling won’t go away. The only way to negate it is to delegate your responsibilities and get your feelings off your chest.

If you are happy-go-lucky, have patience and don’t suffer from stress, your mind is healthy.

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Health Issues: Not Serious, But Seriously Annoying

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

There are certain health issues that just seem to happen. To an extent, we all see them as part and parcel of being a human. They’re not serious; they won’t compromise your life beyond irritation and mild discomfort; and they’re definitely not life-threatening. They’re just annoyances that most of us will find ourselves experiencing at least once in our lives.

As ‘normal’ as these maladies may be — in terms of the number of people they impact — they might have a genuine cause. Even if an issue is not particularly debilitating, if it happens to you frequently, then you don’t just have to shrug and dismiss it as a standard part of life. If you take the time to figure out what’s really going on with these oh-so-standard problems, you might just be able to cure them once and for all. Fixing aspects of your health that have been bothering you in a low-level-but-still-present way can make a huge difference to your overall health, and give you the confidence that you’re going to wake up feeling well every morning.

So, without further ado…

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Constipation

Okay, so it’s not the nicest subject to have to talk about, but hey, it happens to the best of us! Constipation is a symptom of a range of different health problems, so it’s always worth checking with a doctor if the issue becomes chronic.

For the most part, though, constipation is transitory– though that’s not to say it’s fun to deal with. One common solution is to try a magnesium supplement; a lack of magnesium has long been associated as a potential cause for constipation.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Dry Eyes

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Glance through any pharmacy and you will see myriad options for treating dry eyes. It’s a symptom that many people experience, with too much computer usage and not enough sleep often the cause.

However, there is another potential cause you’re going to want to be aware of; dehydration. If you’ve not been drinking enough water, then you’ll feel the impact throughout your body— but particularly in your eyes and your lips. So if you have persistent problems with dry eyes — or chapped lips for that matter — then increase your water intake rather than reaching for an over-the-counter solution. It could make all the difference.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Daytime Tiredness

Sometimes, excessive daytime tiredness doesn’t have a cause beyond the basic explanation– you didn’t sleep well the night before. However, if you seem to be sleeping well, getting a decent night’s rest, and you still feel tired, then this is worthy of further investigation.

The most common cause is a disorder called sleep apnea, where you temporarily stop breathing at night. Don’t panic; your body recognizes this as an issue and rights itself immediately! You won’t remember these moments or feel any ill-effect from them, apart from tiredness the next day; sleep apnea sleep is not as restful as ‘standard’ sleep. See a doctor if your experience fits this description; sleep apnea is treatable, and you’ll sleep much better in future.

Just because a health complaint isn’t dominant and ruining your life doesn’t mean you just have to put up with it. Explore the possible causes, speak to your doctor, and you stand to improve your life exponentially!

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Simple Steps To Get Glowing Skin From Head To Toe

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Aditi Malhotra

Do you often wish your skin was more glowing? Sometimes it can seem like all the products and makeup in the world can’t help you to get that fresh, luminous look that you crave. The key to glowing skin doesn’t come from a miracle product – it’s the work of living a healthy lifestyle and making smart choices about your health. Discover the secrets behind glowing skin with these top tips.

Image: Pexels

Drink more water

So many people fail to drink their recommended daily water intake. It’s easy to do, especially if you’re always rushing around. However, water is one of the best things you can do to boost the appearance of your skin. Water helps keep your skin plumped and hydrated, while other benefits of drinking water include reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and helping your body flush out toxins that can cause spots and blemishes.

Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation can make a huge difference to your skin’s appearance. A good buff will help eliminate dead skin cells, work cleansing products deep into your skin as well as help it to absorb moisturizer better. Using exfoliating treatments and buffing sponges is one of the recommendations from www.cellulite.com to help improve the appearance of cellulite. If you’ve got sensitive skin, avoid harsh exfoliators that could leave your skin red and irritated.

Ease up on the caffeine

While you might need caffeine to function, your coffee habit could be doing more damage to your skin than you realize. Caffeine can have an affect your blood vessels, stopping vital nutrients that help it to produce collagen and therefore prevent aging. See if you can switch to herbal teas instead of your regular coffee to see if it can leave your skin glowing and healthy.

Moisturize

Many women forget to moisturize while others will focus on moisturizing their face and not their body. Moisturizing is important to help your skin lock in moisture and give it a smooth and even appearance. You don’t have to buy an expensive moisturizer to feel the benefits, as even the action of moisturizing helps to promote blood flow or ease aching muscles. If you’re really short on time, try a moisturizing spray or in-shower product that’s perfect for keeping your skin soft and smooth when you’re on the go.

Exercise regularly

Weight gain can affect the appearance of your skin, and an unhealthy diet could be causing your face to appear red and greasy. Taking steps to look after your health through a good diet and exercise will do wonders for your skin, as well as boost your mood and energy levels. Finding time to exercise isn’t always easy, but you could combine exercise and TV so that you can exercise at home without having to take the time to go to the gym. Regular exercise boosts your skin’s blood flow, helping it get what it needs to look healthy.

The secret to glowing skin is all down to you. Make sure you give your skincare routine the attention it deserves and enjoy youthful, luminous skin that makes you happy with what you see in the mirror.

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