(NC)—Diwali, the five-day fall 'Festival of Lights', begins on October 25 and Canada's Hindu communities will celebrate in the traditional manner - decorating their homes with lights, handing out sweets and sharing festive meals with their friends and families.

Food is an important part of the Diwali celebrations. Most Hindus are vegetarians but like all the people of India, they prepare their foods with great care using rich blends of herbs and spices to produce the wonderful aromas and flavours of food from the sub-continent.

Traditionally, foods are enriched with ghee (clarified butter), cream and nuts. Lentils and saffron rice are served generously as families honour their guests and encourage a festive spirit.

Long hours spent in pr Celebrating Diwali Stir Fry Sauces For Fast And Festive Foods Recipe

.............................................................................

Best Recipes: Hot Buttered Rum Fruit

by Donna Monday

Enjoying a mug of hot buttered rum is one of those long-standing holiday traditions. It recalls scenes of sitting by a fireplace watching the fire crackle red and blue as the snowflakes gently fall outside.

Maybe this is why hot buttered rum recipes are so popular around holiday time. It’s a nice drink to have with friends and family.

While serving traditional hot buttered rum is always a welcome idea, you might consider doing something a bit different this year. How about making your guests a nice little side dish of Hot Buttered Rum Fruit?

Fruit goes well with any meal and the rum and apple cider give it a spicy twist. I think you’ll be pleased with the reactions you’ll get when they taste this delicious holiday fruit dish.

Hot Bu Best Recipes: Hot Buttered Rum Fruit Recipe

.............................................................................

Meal Planning Help: Meal One

by Monica Resinger

It's nice when I find a meal where the foods compliment each other because it simplifies my life by knowing what to serve with what. Of course I don't have to stick to any one meal plan; I can mix and match the main dishes and sides, but a lot of the time I'm in a hurry and don't have a lot of time to think about it. I already have quite a few meals like this up my sleeve, but when I find a NEW one to add to my collection I get happy because it adds a little more variety to our meal choices.

I'd like to share some of my new and old meal plans with you in hopes of helping you with the question `what do I make for dinner'. Here's a meal that we have tried lately where the foods complimented each other really well. The food items aren't necessar Meal Planning Help: Meal One Recipe

.............................................................................