Palak Patel shares why The Diwali Menu is close to her heart, exclusive

As many people celebrate Diwali, Food Network is giving everyone a glimpse into the flavorful dishes that are part of this Indian celebration. Palak Patel, host of the Food Network digital series, The Diwali Menu, welcomes well-known friends to her table to savor the various food and recipes around the event. From traditional dishes to a conversation about heritage, this program is a feast for everyone.

For those unfamiliar, Diwali is the festival of lights. While each culture has their own interpretation of this celebration, BBC Good Food states that generally the festival focuses on “triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance.”

Usually, the celebration is marked with numerous dinner parties. While the food feasts can vary, there are often savory snacks, an abundant main meal, and a plethora of sweet treats. Each region may have its preferred dishes, but no one is fasting during the event.

Palak Patel on the importance of The Diwali Menu

While she may be the host of the show The Diwali Menu, Palak Patel is well known to Food Network fans. As seen on Food Network Star season 14 as well as other popular network shows like Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, the celebrated chef and restaurateur wants to share her culinary traditions around this holiday celebration.

Specifically, Patel FoodSided, “This series is very special to my heart, not only did guests share their cherished family recipes but their stories and family traditions. The vibrant colors, food, decor, dancing and celebration are captured perfectly in this series.”

The guests featured on this series include Archna Becker, Megha S. Desai, PriaVanda Chouhan, Nandita Godbole, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The diversity of guests shows how inclusive the Diwali celebration can be. While each family might have their favorite meal or flavor, the heart of the celebration is the tie that binds them all together.

As Patel explained, “Diwali is all about celebration with food, in particular sweets, at the center of this holiday. Each family has their favorite sweets to celebrate the holiday. In India, there are boxes of beautifully packed sweets that are exchanged as you visit family and loved ones.”

Although these dishes are familiar to her culture, now is the perfect time for others to explore the deliciousness that these recipes offer. Getting a taste of the celebratory foods can bring a deeper appreciation for Indian heritage.

In her home, Patel serves one particular dish every year. She said, “Halwa is a very special dish I make every Diwali. My grandmother made it for me when I was growing up and now it is a tradition I follow.”

For those unfamiliar, Halwa is simple sweet dessert. Often served with a strong coffee or tea, the recipes vary with either a nut base or a flour base. Although each recipe is different, it is a sweet treat that many people can master.

From Halwa to other flavorful dishes, the Diwali Menu is a delightful exploration of food and culture. More information and episodes can be found online via the Food Network website.