The week of November 28, 2015 was: melting over cheetahs and puppies as BFF; getting ready for company for the holidays; cats tricking terrorists; and soaking in a new mash-up Thanksgiving dessert, the piecaken. Oh and POTUS’dad jokes.

We are very grateful to all of you for being part of our Mash-Up family this year!

Mash-Ups in the News:

Through the Joy of Inauthentic Cooking, Reclaiming Power Through Chinese Food

What makes something authentic? Your Chicken Fried Rice and Orange Chicken may not be typical of the Sichuan province, but they are typical of Chinatown in New York. Or San Francisco.

via The New Yorker

‘I Want to Be a Boy Scout.’ These Girls Just Wanna Camp and Tie Knots

Because sometimes you don’t want to sell cookies. You want to get dirty.

via The New York Times

The Culture Shock of Moving from Mexico to Missouri

Alicia married Ronnie, a Vietnam Vet, and they then bring her teenage sons in Mexico to rural Missouri. My god, the sacrifices all of them make are incredible.

via The Atlantic

Anne Frank and Her Family Were Denied Entry as Refugees to the U.S.

“It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” We have our work cut out for us, friends. Let’s keep our hearts and arms wide open.

via Washington Post

We’re Doing Somersaults Over Pixar’s New Short, ‘Sanjay’s Super Team’

The short before the new Pixar movie is the first Pixar movie EVER featuring a non-white lead. Oh and it’s a little first-gen Indian-American kid named Sanjay who is watching cartoons while his dad does Hindu rituals and then has an entire daydream about the mash-up of Indian and American cultures. Can’t wait!

via Pacific Standard

The Guide to Crispy Rice Bottomed Dishes of the World

If we could only eat the crunchy rice at the bottom of a dish we would. Tahdig? Yes to the Persian treat. Pegao? Yes, we will eat that Puerto Rican heavenly crunch with some beans.

via Lucky Peach

A Modern-Day Lynching Happened in Mississippi

Read about the incredibly tragic story of Craig Anderson, who was tortured and lynched by a bunch of white kids. In 2011, not 1950.

via Buzzfeed

What My Italian Neighbors Taught Me About Gluttony

Sometimes you just want to eat until you’re going to burst. That actually has its place in life. Moderation? That’s for suckers.

via Zocalo Public Square

Young Greek Women Selling Sex for the Price of a Gyro

With the horrible financial crisis, Greek women have kicked out Eastern European prostitutes and are selling their services for the price of a “cheese pie.”

via Washington Post

And to make sure you make the most of your Turkey leftovers…

Make Turkey Congee With Your Leftovers

We know what you should do with that turkey carcass … cook the crap out of it and make some turkey congee.

via The Mash-Up Americans