(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

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

Harvest Sweet Potato Pie

by News Canada

Pastry:

1 1/2 cups (375 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt

1/2 cup (125 ml) cold butter, cubed

1 egg

1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar

cold water

Filling:

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups (375 ml) cooked, mashed sweet potato

1 1/4 cups (300 ml) coffee cream or milk

3/4 cup (175 ml) packed brown sugar

1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon

1 tsp (5 ml) each salt and ginger

1/4 tsp (1 ml) each allspice, cloves and nutmeg

Pastry: Combine flour and salt in food processor, fitted with metal blade. Using pulse button, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat egg and vinegar in measuring cup; add enough cold water to measure 1/3 cup (75 ml). Add to flour mixture and process until dough begins to clump Harvest Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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

New Year's Resolutions

by Nancy Huang

Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze on New Years Eve, I promised someone (or was it myself?) that I would be good this year. I said I would draw up my New Year’s Resolutions – particularly after the roller-coaster year I had last year. Well, a promise is a promise. I can’t very well start the New Year by breaking the resolution that I was going to write my New Year’s Resolutions, can I? So, here it is, broken down into months being the control freak that I am.

JAN – Donate old PC to a Deserving Relative

After all, to give is more rewarding than to receive (but not quite as rewarding as to buy). So I guess it’s au revoir to my X86 sitting in the corner of my study. Now, who should I give it to? Who will appreciate my very New Year's Resolutions Recipe

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