Get out your stretchy pants, November has arrived! We all know that Thanksgiving is observed the last Thursday of the month, but this year, legislation was introduced to make Diwali a federal holiday as well. What unites the two? Food and lots of it. These recipes will help you prepare for delicious gatherings of family, friends, and foodies.
Turkey Time
The first Thanksgiving meal was centered on five deer that the Wampanoag tribe shared with the English. In turn, the European settlers brought waterfowl, most likely duck or goose. Turkey dinner didn't begin trending until the 1800s, but in twenty-first century Maryland, the tradition is well ingrained.
But that doesn't mean that you're stuck with a paint-by-numbers dinner this November 23. The recipes included here are a testament to the fact that America's most serious culinary holiday allows for plenty of innovation.
Light Up Your Life
The word to know this November 12? Mithai. These are the South Asian sweets in which you'll be indulging to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Other religions mark the triumph of good over evil, including Sikhs, Jains, and Newar Buddhists. All the more reason to join the five-day feast, no matter your heritage. Whether your heart belongs to gulab jamun, rasmalai, or jalebi, now is the time to share your favorite treats with someone you love.