These Instagram pages will bring out the cook in you
Everyone who has Instagram on their phone probably spends way too much time on it. The amount of content it has to cater to all tastes and needs is amazing. Whatever you want—fashion tips, book reviews, cleaning hacks, or décor ideas—it’s all there. It’s also a great space to pick up some cooking skills and learn a few gourmet recipes that can help you save a few thousand rupees you would spend ordering a takeaway or eating out. Here are our top five picks. We guarantee these pages, with drool-worthy photos of food and drinks, will get you interested in cooking and make you want to eat at home way more than you do.
Ravneet Gill (@ravneeteats)
A British pastry chef, activist, and television presenter based in London, Ravneet Gill makes food look fun, as it should be. She has over 10 years of experience. She is a food columnist for The Guardian besides contributing to other publications like The Telegraph and Observer Food Monthly etc. Her Instagram page, where she has 179k followers, is filled with recipes that will make you want to bake for pleasure. The Toffee Apple Self-Saucing Pudding is one of our favorites. It’s easy to make and simply delicious.
Liam Baker (@chef.liam)
He is an ex-fine dining chef who, according to his bio on Instagram, quit his job to discover his Caribbean heritage. He cooks with fire and smoke like his natives did and his Instagram page is full of cooking tips and tricks that you can use to create culinary masterpieces. He also dishes out plenty of advice on making the best of seasonal ingredients. Learn to make fermented hot sauce, a smooth hummus, and turn tomatoes into yummy dishes other than chutneys with chef Liam.
Kabita Singh (@kabitaskitchen)
A housewife turned content creator, Kabita Singh was awarded the Best Creator in the Food Category at the National Creators Award in India this year. She has over 1.5 million followers on Instagram where she regularly posts recipes of Indian food. Her recipes are simple and perfect for those who are new to cooking. You can learn to make a variety of lentils and snacks like Egg Cheese Sandwich and Aloo Tikki Chaat. She posts quite regularly and has over 2000 videos already.
Eric Chou (@erictriesit)
You will be scrolling through this page for hours. The photos are just so lovely and will have you drooling for some baked goodies. The last time we checked there were just 275 posts but each of these is a delight. We tried to recreate the Strawberry Sandwich which tasted every bit as delightful as it looked. Eric’s conversational tone as he talks about the food and the places he has visited makes his already good content even better.
Jordon Ezra King (@jordonezraking)
Over the years, Jordon has worked in many restaurants and the seriousness with which he prepares food makes it evident that he considers it sacrosanct. There’s something in his tone that begs us to pay attention to what he’s saying. His page has recipes and informative videos on different food cultures. He also teaches you to make some basic stuff like chicken broth and creamy mashed potatoes that can help you enhance the taste of any dish. There are easy recipes that you can whip up in minutes with ready-to-eat ingredients in your pantry like a can of chickpeas.
Good Reads
J-33
Kumar Nagarkoti
Fantasy Fiction
This graphic novel, set in a parallel universe and woven into the garland of reality, surrealism, and self-realism, is the love story of Jung Bahadur Rana and Royal Ballerina Calista Brown. It’s a story that has never been written in history. That is, until now. Who is J-33, a mysterious character who accidentally got caught in the rare love story of Ballerina and Jung Bahadur? In Jung Bahadur Rana’s tantric city, J-33 is looking for you. Why, and for what purpose? What secret treasures does he have that he is impatient to reveal to you?
Mahabidhyawaridhidekhi Nobel Shanti Puraskar Manonayansamma
Surya Subedi
Biography
Surya Subedi, who introduced Nepal to the world as an international face, is a Nepali who has reached the highest expert level of the United Nations. As a member of the delegation of the Government of Nepal, he has participated in the summits of the United Nations and Non-Aligned Nations and has represented Nepal in many international forums as an ‘unpaid international ambassador’. This book is a detailed account of the ups and downs, struggles, and achievements that Subedi has faced in his life.
Bahadur Shah
Chiranjibi Wagle
Historical Fiction
Chiranjeevi Wagle, a former minister who was elected as MP from Gorkha for three consecutive times, is dedicated to independent writing after a long political career. ‘Bahadur Shah’ is his third novel after ‘Bandhashala ma Kheer’ and ‘Balidaan le Baneko Desh’. Wagle, who has been engaged in literary creation since his studies in Banaras, has also published the ‘Yatra Kavita Sangraha ra Nepali Sahitya’. He is a prolific writer whose works will inspire you.
The defining moments: Reflecting on events that shaped us
Life is a book of lessons, and everyone experiences turning points in their lives. These moments are pivotal, marking significant shifts in our directions, perspectives, or personal growth. Whether it’s a major life event, a decision, or a realization, turning points have the power to change our paths and redefine who we are. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three people to find out about the moments that altered the course of their lives for the better.
Riya Rajkarnikar, 30
A breakup was the turning point of my life. I always wished for a happy love life. The initial days of our six-year relationship were full of love and joy but gradually, he became controlling and possessive. I was blind in love and that made me think everything he made me do was right. But his toxic behavior was depressing. It also isolated me from family and friends. Eventually, I found the courage to confide in my mom and sister, who supported me through the breakup despite his resistance. Free from the toxicity, I embraced opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. I’m much stronger and independent today than I was when I was with him.
Today I’m married and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. My husband has restored my faith in men, showing me what true love and acceptance look like. I’m thankful for his unconditional love and unwavering support. Through him, I’ve learned to embrace myself fully and believe in my worth.
Akriti Thapa, 22
Reflecting on my past, I’d say a pivotal moment was when I grew tired of depending on others for transportation. I also wasn’t comfortable traveling in public vehicles. This prompted me to embark on a journey of self-sufficiency. I decided to learn to ride a scooter. Through sheer determination, I acquired the necessary skills and obtained my license. This newfound independence liberated me, granting me the freedom to travel at will. No longer reliant on friends or family, I navigated the world with confidence. Riding the scooter wasn’t just about transportation. It symbolized empowerment and resilience, preparing me for a long journey ahead. Not being dependent on anyone felt good. It made me able to take charge of my days in the way I liked.
Lumanti Shakya, 24
One moment that truly stands out as a turning point in my life was when someone encouraged me to prioritize my well-being first, assuring me that by doing so, I would be better equipped to help others. I realized that I needed to invest in myself to truly make a positive impact in the lives of those around me. From that moment on, I shifted my focus towards self-improvement, dedicating time and energy to personal growth and development. This decision sparked a transformative journey that has not only enriched my life but has also allowed me to be more effective in supporting and uplifting others. One crucial aspect of this realization was understanding the importance of self-care and recognizing that taking breaks and prioritizing ‘me time’ is not selfish, but essential for overall well-being. By embracing self-care practices and allowing myself moments of rest and rejuvenation, I’ve been able to deal with life’s challenges with resilience and clarity.
The value of work
Work gives you a sense of purpose and meaning by allowing you to pursue your dreams. Work can shape your identity by shaping how you see yourself. It enriches and sustains you. When we say ‘work’ we mean both paid employment and unpaid engagements such as household chores or any volunteering endeavors. Rastika Shakya from ApEx spoke to three people, from different fields, to know what work means to them and how it impacts their lives.
Meena Shrestha, 60
I’m an office helper at a ward office in Lalitpur. My responsibilities include cleaning the office and making meals for the rest of the staff. I take immense pride in my work and firmly believe that no task is small or insignificant. Every job deserves respect. For me, work is essential as I find it difficult to remain idle for long periods. I’m grateful for my job as it keeps me busy. It also gives me financial freedom. I don’t think any work can or should be assigned to a particular gender.
Bhale Lama, 33
For eight years, I have been selling vegetables. This is how I’m able to provide for my family and send my children to school. I have my own cart and I feel blessed to have what I have. Not many people are as fortunate. My wife also works and we support each other. I’m happy with what we have. I believe doing your own thing and living a happy life is better than working for someone else.
Suresh Thakur, 55
I’ve been a barber for over 30 years. I own a small shop in Patan and everything is going well. I’m able to provide for my family and meet our needs. What makes me even happier is that I’ve been able to educate my children in a place as expensive as Kathmandu. For me, work is a source of satisfaction. I believe that your hard work will pay off one day, so you must keep working diligently. It’s important to never cheat and not be afraid to work hard.