Siblings have a special talent for getting on each other’s nerves, stealing clothes without asking and claiming the last bite of your favourite dessert. But when Bhai Dooj rolls around, it’s time to put
the sibling rivalry on pause and bring out the food! Celebrated with the traditional tika ceremony, prayers and plenty of family time, the festival is also a lovely excuse to spoil your brother or sister with some homemade treats.
Now, we’re not suggesting you spend half your day sweating over elaborate festive preparations. After all, there are gifts to unwrap, family pictures to pose for and enough childhood stories to embarrass each other with. Whether your sibling has a weakness for something spicy, can’t resist a cheesy snack or has an incurable sweet tooth, these 10 easy recipes will help you put together a delicious festive spread without turning your kitchen into a full-time job.
1. Masala Cheese Toast
When in doubt, add cheese! A delicious masala cheese toast is just the kind of quick snack that can win over even the fussiest sibling. Finely chop onions, tomatoes, green chillies and capsicum, and mix them with grated cheese, coriander, salt, chilli flakes and a pinch of chaat masala. Spread the mixture generously over bread slices and toast on a pan with a little butter until the bread turns crisp and the cheese melts. Cut into triangles and serve hot with mint chutney or tomato ketchup. It’s crunchy, cheesy and ready in minutes.
2. Peri-Peri Masala French Fries
If your sibling believes that no snack platter is complete without fries, this one is a no-brainer. Slice potatoes into thin fingers, soak them in cold water for a few minutes and pat them completely dry. Deep-fry or air-fry until golden and crisp. Toss the fries with peri-peri seasoning, red chilli powder, garlic powder and a little salt while they’re still hot. Serve with mayonnaise or a spicy cheese dip. Fair warning: you might want to make an extra batch because these tend to disappear before they reach the dining table.
3. Paneer Tikka Skewers
Fancy a restaurant-style starter without the restaurant-style effort? Paneer tikka skewers are your answer. Cut paneer into cubes and prepare a marinade using thick curd, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala, roasted besan, lemon juice and salt. Add chunks of onion and capsicum, coat everything well and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Thread the paneer and vegetables onto skewers and cook on a grill pan or in an air fryer until lightly charred. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of chaat masala. Serve with green chutney for a festive starter that looks far more elaborate than it actually is.
4. Honey Chilli Potato
For siblings who like their food with a little drama, honey chilli potatoes are a crowd-pleaser. Cut potatoes into wedges or fingers, parboil them briefly and toss with cornflour before frying or air-frying until crisp. In a pan, heat a little oil and sauté chopped garlic, dried red chillies and spring onion whites. Add soy sauce, red chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, honey and a splash of water. Toss the crispy potatoes in this glossy sauce until evenly coated. Finish with sesame seeds and spring onion greens. The sweet, spicy and tangy combination makes this an irresistible addition to your Bhai Dooj menu.
5. Corn Cheese Balls
Crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle, corn cheese balls are practically designed to disappear from a festive snack platter. Mix boiled sweet corn with grated cheese, mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, chopped coriander, green chillies, black pepper and salt. Shape the mixture into small balls, coat them in a thin slurry of flour and water, and roll in breadcrumbs. Deep-fry until golden brown or cook in an air fryer until crisp. Serve with a spicy mayonnaise dip or tomato ketchup.
6. Schezwan Veg Noodles
Give the usual festive menu a delicious Indo-Chinese twist with a bowl of spicy Schezwan noodles. Boil noodles according to the packet instructions, drain and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking. Heat oil in a wok and stir-fry sliced carrots, capsicum, cabbage and spring onions over high heat. Add Schezwan sauce, soy sauce, a dash of vinegar and salt. Toss in the noodles and mix everything until well coated. Finish with spring onion greens and serve piping hot. Add scrambled eggs or paneer if your sibling prefers a more filling meal.
7. Chocolate Mug Cake
No festive feast is complete without dessert, and this chocolate mug cake is for anyone who doesn’t have the patience to bake an entire cake. In a microwave-safe mug, combine four tablespoons of flour, two tablespoons of cocoa powder, three tablespoons of sugar, a quarter teaspoon of baking powder, three tablespoons of milk and two tablespoons of oil. Mix until smooth, add a few chocolate chips and microwave for around 60-90 seconds, checking for doneness. Let it cool slightly before topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
8. Instant Bread Gulab Jamun
Why wait for a mithai box when you can make a quick homemade sweet treat? For this shortcut version of gulab jamun, remove the crusts from a few slices of white bread and crumble the soft centres. Add a little milk and knead into a soft dough. Shape into small, smooth balls and fry on low heat until golden brown. Meanwhile, prepare a sugar syrup by boiling sugar, water, crushed cardamom and a few strands of saffron. Let the fried bread balls soak in the warm syrup for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds. They may not be traditional khoya gulab jamuns, but they certainly make a delicious festive shortcut.
9. Chocolate Coconut Laddoos
If your sibling has a serious sweet tooth, these chocolate coconut laddoos deserve a place on the menu. Combine desiccated coconut, condensed milk and cocoa powder in a bowl and mix until the ingredients come together into a soft, mouldable mixture. Add a little more coconut if the mixture feels too sticky. Roll into bite-sized balls and coat them with additional desiccated coconut. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until firm. You can also tuck a small piece of chocolate or a roasted almond into the centre for an indulgent surprise.
10. Kesar Shrikhand
End the festive meal on a refreshing note with a bowl of homemade kesar shrikhand. Take thick hung curd in a bowl and whisk it until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, a pinch of cardamom powder, saffron strands soaked in warm milk and a few drops of rose water. Mix well and refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with chopped pistachios, almonds and a little more saffron before serving. Pair it with warm puris or enjoy it on its own as a light, creamy dessert.
Whether you’re putting together a full-fledged festive spread or simply whipping up your sibling’s favourite snack, these easy recipes prove that a little effort can go a long way.
