Every family has that one argument that never really ends. For Neil and Shruti, it was about snacks.
Neil believed nothing could beat a good, spicy namkeen. Shruti, on the other hand, liked a little variety on her plate. And neither had ever been particularly good at admitting the other was right.
So when the two siblings came home for Bhaidooj this year, a harmless comment over a bowl of Bombay Mix turned into a competition that had the entire family picking sides.
A Little Tradition, A Lot of Teasing
Bhaidooj had always been a special day in their family. Growing up, Neil and Shruti looked forward to the festive meals, their mother’s homemade sweets, and, of course, the gifts.
Now that they lived in different cities in the US, getting together for the festival felt even more meaningful.
The morning started with the familiar rituals. Shruti applied the tilak on Neil’s forehead, offered sweets, and wished him a long and happy life. Neil handed her a gift, which she immediately inspected with the same suspicion she’d had since childhood.
“Did you actually choose this yourself?” she asked.
“Can you just say thank you for once?” Neil replied.
Their mother laughed. Some things, thankfully, hadn’t changed.
Bhaidooj is that Hindu festival that celebrates the affection between brothers and sisters. But in Neil and Shruti’s house, that affection had always come with a generous helping of sibling rivalry.
And this year, the real fun was only beginning.
The Argument That Started It All
By late afternoon, the living room was full of conversation. Their father was making chai, their aunt was catching up on family news, and Neil had already claimed the largest bowl of Bombay Mix.
Shruti reached for a handful and raised an eyebrow. “You still eat this like it’s the only snack in the world?”
“Because it’s the best one,” Neil said confidently.
“Please. You’ve clearly never had a proper snack platter.”
That was enough to get his attention.
Within minutes, the two had agreed on a challenge. Each would prepare a namkeen platter using the snacks available at home. The rest of the family would judge them on taste, crunch, variety, and presentation.
Their mother agreed to be the judge, provided neither of them made a mess of her kitchen.
Two Platters, Two Very Different Personalities
Neil approached the challenge the way he approached most things in life: confidently, and without much planning.
He started with a generous helping of Bombay Mix. Its combination of crisp sev, crunchy lentils, and savory spices had been his favorite snack since childhood. Next came Dal Moth, with its roasted lentils, fine sev, and satisfying spicy bite.
To balance the stronger flavors, he added Bhavnagari Gathia, those thick, airy, savory pieces that were equally good on their own or alongside a hot cup of chai.
“Three excellent snacks. No unnecessary complications,” he announced.
Shruti took one look at his platter. “You’ve basically made three piles.”
She, meanwhile, had other plans.
Her platter began with Corn Chewda, light and crisp with a pleasant mix of sweet and savory flavors. Beside it, she arranged a generous portion of Bhel Mix, whose different shapes and textures made every handful a little different.
She added a small serving of Bhavnagari Gathia for contrast and tucked some Bombay Mix between the sections for an extra kick.
Then she brought out two small bowls of chutney, along with chopped onions and fresh cilantro for anyone who wanted to add them to their Bhel Mix.
Neil stared at the finished arrangement. “Are we making snacks or opening a restaurant?”
“Don’t worry,” Shruti replied. “You’ll still get to taste the winning platter.”
And the Winner Is...
By the time the family gathered around the coffee table, the room smelled of fresh chai and toasted spices.
Their father tasted Neil’s Dal Moth first and nodded approvingly. Their aunt reached for the Corn Chewda on Shruti’s plate, then went back for another handful. Their mother took her judging responsibilities rather seriously. She tasted a little of everything before asking for some more Bhavnagari Gathia.
Neil’s platter won a lot of praise for its bold flavors and satisfying crunch. Shruti’s impressed everyone with its variety and the way the lighter snacks balanced the spicier ones.
The final vote?
A tie.
“That’s not possible!” Neil protested.
Their father calmly reached for another handful of Bombay Mix. “It is when both of you make something worth eating.”
Shruti grinned. “Fine. But mine looked better.”
Neil didn’t argue. He was too busy finishing her Bhel Mix.
Some Traditions Are Better Shared
Later that evening, the competition was forgotten, but both platters were nearly empty. The family stayed around the table, pouring another round of chai and remembering the silly arguments Neil and Shruti had gotten into as children.
They might disagree about which namkeen deserved the top spot, but they’d always agreed on one thing: festivals were better when everyone was together.
And perhaps that was the nicest part of their Bhaidooj celebrations. The tilak, the sweets, the gifts, and all those little arguments were simply different ways of celebrating a sibling bond that had grown stronger over the years.
As Shruti packed a little leftover namkeen for Neil to take home, he smiled and said, “Same competition next year?”
“Obviously,” she replied. “And next time, I’m winning.”
Make Your Bhaidooj a Little More Delicious with Bombay Kitchen
Whether you’re planning a family get-together or a friendly snack competition of your own, good food always gives everyone another reason to gather around.
Bring home Bombay Kitchen’s ready-to-eat Bombay Mix, Corn Chewda, Dal Moth, Bhavnagari Gathia, and Bhel Mix for a delicious spread of Indian snacks everyone can enjoy.
Pick up your favorites this Bhaidooj at a grocery store or Bombay Kitchen outlet near you, and let the family decide which snack deserves the winning title!