Kolkata, November 08, 2026 : There was a time when the days following Dashami till Kali Puja (the end of Devi Paksha) meant a familiar routine in Bengali households. As families set out for Bijoyar Pronam, visiting relatives, neighbours and friends to exchange greetings and seek blessings, the kitchen would be stocked with nimki and narkel-er naru, a pot of ghugni would be ready to serve, and boxes of sitabhog, mihidana and other mishti would be kept aside for visitors. The food was prepared with the expectation that someone could drop in at any time, and a quick visit to exchange Bijoya’r Pronam could easily turn into a long session of adda over food.
The tradition of Bijoya visits continues, but the way households prepare for them has changed. With work schedules and everyday commitments leaving less time for elaborate cooking, the trick today is not to give up the traditional spread, but to find smarter ways of putting it together. After all, the joy of the festive season lies in spending time with loved ones, not being tied to the kitchen.
Here are five food ideas that can help you welcome guests this festive season without spending much time in the kitchen.
1. Keep the condiments ready
A little preparation can go a long way. You can order in or buy some chutneys, dips and accompaniments in advance and store them in the refrigerator. The century old Kolkata’s Hogg Market is a popular destination for a wide variety of such products. Having these essentials ready means you can quickly put together a snack or add a little extra flavour to your festive spread without starting from scratch.
2. Put together some easy no-cook snacks like Papdi Chat or Dahi Vadas
With your chutneys, dips and accompaniments already stocked, you can whip up some delicious street-food favourites without spending time at the stove. Think crisp papdis layered with diced potatoes and chickpeas, generously drizzled with tangy tamarind and spicy green chutney, topped with cool, creamy yoghurt and a sprinkle of sev and chaat masala. Or serve up chilled dahi vadas, soaked in thick, whisked yoghurt and dressed with sweet chutney, roasted cumin powder and a dash of red chilli. Keep essentials such as papdi, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, dahi, sev and spices in stock, and you can put together these irresistible treats in minutes, even while catching up on the latest adda with your guests.
3. Keep a few quick-to-prepare snacks handy to add more variety to the spread
A festive spread feels more inviting when there is a little variety to choose from. But that does not mean you need to spend hours preparing multiple dishes. Keep a selection of Ready-to-Cook snacks in the freezer from brands such as Keventer Eatsy, ITC and McCain, so you can quickly serve something hot whenever guests arrive. From momos, chicken lollipops and chicken popcorn to potato-based snacks and other appetisers, these options offer plenty of variety without the wait involved in ordering from outside. Keventer Eatsy’s range, for instance, includes favourites such as momos, chicken lollipops, chicken popcorn and peri peri strips that can be prepared in around three minutes. With generous pack sizes and accessible price points, they also offer a convenient and more economical way to serve popular snack favourites at home.
When you want to serve freshly cooked snacks without spending too much time in the kitchen, an air fryer can be a great option. It allows you to prepare a variety of appetisers quickly and with minimal supervision. You can use products like Philips Connected Airfryers. These Airfryers combined with NutriU App, uses Rapid CombiAir Technology to automatically adjust cooking time, temperature, and air speed. The cooking process can simply be programmed and monitored from a smartphone or tablet, so that you don’t have to visit the kitchen to check. As an added benefit, air-frying uses significantly less oil than conventional deep-frying, making it a healthier alternative.
5. Make room for a no-fuss dessert
For a more conventional option, the legacy Metro Ice Cream brand offers a wide range of ice creams in Cones, Cups, Tubs, and Stick options. Their Black Currant, Rabri Utsav, Pistachio Crunch, Yumm Aam etc. are few of the all time favourites.
Either way, a chilled treat gives everyone another reason to linger around, enjoy the conversation and extend the adda a little longer.
The best part of Bijoya has always been the warmth of meeting loved ones, exchanging Pronam and getting carried away in conversations that last longer than planned. A little preparation and a few convenient food options can help keep these traditions alive, while giving you more time to enjoy the festivities. After all, the kitchen can wait; the adda cannot.
