October 2011
Happy Diwali (Festival of Lights)!

Dear Madhu,

I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Flay, the Food Network Star, last month. He signed a copy of his book Bobby’s Flays Bar American Cookbook and I gave him my books, The Indian Vegan Kitchen: More than 150 Quick and Healthy Homestyle Recipes and New Indian Home Cooking.  He told me he loves Indian food. I had heard that but now it was official. After all he loves flavors. Looking at The Indian Vegan Kitchen, he said, “Really, the whole book is vegan? What about yogurt and milk?” Yup, he knows Indian food. I hope he reads my books and calls me.  

Diwali, a Festival of LIghts

An Indian festival Diwali is celebrated with similar reverence as Christmas or Hanukkah. Symbolically, Diwali is a celebration of “victory of good over evil” and signifies the uplifting of spiritual darkness. The celebrations start almost a month before with various religious and social events. The main components of the festival includes; cleaning the house, visiting family and friends, lighting oil lamps, lots and lots of food, praying to the goddess Lakshmi for wealth, and to top it off—fireworks. Diwali Day is based by the lunar calendar and this year it’s on October 26th.

Eat Better, Eat Together Month

“Dinner is served.” A call that brings adults and children to the table is good for the body and the soul. Research indicates that when adults eat meals together with children and teenagers, the youngsters do better in school, have fewer behavior problems, and the teenagers are less likely to use alcohol or drugs. So, next time when it feels like too much effort to bring the family together to eat because the kids whine, complain, and fuss, and you are running in a million directions, remember that in the long run children will benefit from sitting down to family meals. Although nutritious food is important, children report that what they like about family meals is the conversation. They like having time to share, find out what others are doing, and to laugh. Take the time to enjoy family meals, find out what your kids are up to, and create your own family traditions. Eat Better, Eat Together.

World Vegetarian Day
A whole month is dedicated to increasing the awareness of vegetarianism and October 1 is World Vegetarian Day. What we eat impacts the well being of ourselves, animals and the planet. The health benefits of a plant based diet are numerous; enjoy delicious and nutritious Indian vegetarian meals for the whole month and beyond.

October Recipes
This month, I am picking recipes that are absolutely my favorite. These dishes are a must for our Diwali meal and everything else centers around it. A Diwali meal is almost always vegetarian. A house full of family and friends reminds me of a Christmas dinner with tables lined with trays of desserts, snacks, and variety of special dishes. Puri (Fried Bread), and Lipte Aloo (potato stew) turns any meal into a celebration. They can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. I’m also including Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Winter Squash) which is our family favorite. At my Diwali party, all my friends have come to expect Kaddu as must at the dinner (see our family Diwali photos). Diwali or not, enjoy a meal of Puri, Aloo, and Kaddu and have your own party.

Fried Bread (Puri)
Potato Stew (Lipte Aloo)
Sweet and Sour Winter Squash (Kaddu)

I wish you and yours A Very Happy and Prosperous Diwali. May all your wishes come true!

Happy and Healthy Cooking!
Sincerely,
Madhu Gadia

P.S. For your convenience, I have archived all the past newsletters on the website. Remember, each months featured recipes are available for that month.