Of Sharing Christmas Recipes…
Hey guys, We have been busy moving houses that’s why I didn’t have updates here… until the 24th maybe. And yes, we have to do it this December. I can’t even think of what to have for Noche Buena. The recipes below are still tentative. Just sit down, relax and imagine being with me on Noche Buena, I will be your waiter, and as the food comes, I will be describing what we will be having for Christmas.
For entree:
Fish Spring Rolls
Thumbs up for something right. This cocktail is prepared in two stages. First, we stew Sashimi grade Tuna slices in a sweet vinegar marinade with oriental spices until all the flavor is absorbed by the fish – a cooking technique in the Philippines called Paksiw. Second is we hand roll them in a carefully selected brand of rice paper and deep fry them. You will enjoy the zing after the crunch on this one. The original recipe is made with ground pork but it would be overkill if you deep fry anything that is mostly fat. It’s like frying oil.
Macaroni Salad
This iconic symbol of a White Christmas is represented by al dente macaroni elbows mixed in a dressing of delicately whisked egg whites and oil. This appetizer cum dessert is also graced with squares of mother liquor gelatin, cheddar cheese cubes, strands of spring chicken breasts, young raisins, and handpicked summer pineapples. If you are a Filipino you would most likely describe this as – “lagyan mo lang ng mayonnaise at kung ano ano, tsaka kaong at nata de coco, solb.” The Italian’s didn’t know what happened to their pasta when it landed on our eager fingers.
For Mains:
Chicken Hamonado
This lovely fowl is simmered in bubbly Coke and pineapple squeeze and slow cooked to “old people” softness… because they should park those false teeth in a bicarbonate solution sometimes. The cooking technique applied here is designed for fish and kids 3 to 5 years old. So you can go shopping Christmas presents for yourself, not guilty, while your toddler is busy preparing this dish for you and putting everything in sight inside his mouth. Don’t forget to tell him he can’t eat fire.
Garlic Prawns
Nothing beats the classic. Buttered prawns with golden brown garlic pieces. According to legends, wearing garlic as a perfume drives evil spirits… and there is nothing better to do than to have a holy Christmas. We also encourage you to give hugs and kisses while you are still reeking of seafood and garlic. Look! You are glowing of the demon-fighting aura!
For Dessert:
Fruit cake
I don’t like this. I will not tell you about it. I hate fruitcakes.
Fruit Salad
We often tend to put too much on the table during the festive season so we are not having it instead. You still hungry?
Why don’t we share what our families have on the table on Noche Buena? I will be back by maybe the 24th. And while i’m out, feel free to share your super-secret Christmas recipes. I will be very busy packing up stuff that sometimes I tend to eat packing tapes so please be obliged, since we are on the season of giving and sharing, tell us what your family has on the table for Christmas.
Our staple meal for Noche Buena is as follows:
1) Dry Aged Ham – The kind you boil in pineapple juice until it’s tender then baked with a brown sugar crust. It’s accompanied with hot Pan de Sal and slices Queso de Bola.
2) Sopas – Elbow macaroni soup with diced chicken and vienna sausage. Perfect for the cold winter night.
3) Assortment of Filipino dessert like Suman, Leche Flan, Halayang Ube, Bibingka Cassava and Sans Rival.
4) Last but not least is hot Tsokolate.
Our Christmas dinner however is more formal. It usually comprises of a Rib Roast with all its other accompaniments.
WHAT!!! No Fruit Salad?
Hamodo recipe please! I have one from my mom but I’d like to see your version of it. Happy Holidays!
Slow-cooked Roast Beef
Steamed Yabbies (w/ Hokkien noodle)
Cannelloni
Potato Salad
Leche Flan
Cheese Platter
…
at kung ano ano pa. mamamalengke ako this sat. sa footscray.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
xxxxoxoxxxoxoxoxoxoxxxooooooxxox
Jastin
Ciggy!
Any ideas on food to serve to guests on Christmas day? (No, not noche buena).
I’m thinking the usual Spaghetti and Salad, but I’d like to hear your suggestions.
Grazie!
Allan
@Remil that is just wonderful
It’s just like what this guy said:
Darth_Jesus
lugaw… one branch of relatives does that. it’s their tradition. nothing but lugaw on the xmas eve. to remind them where they came from.
Culture is something that nobody can take from us and I myself feel proud when me, my wife and kid are all awake in the middle of the night, making noises when everyone around us are asleep. Someone asked me why do you do that? I’d like to have a good juicy go at him but I just answered “…because that’s what Filipinos do”
@Thea as what Remil said you can simmer it in pineapple juice. Simmer and slow cook, avoid bubbles in the juice, on little fire as possible. A few tips would be:
1. for an asian touch – try slow cooking with star anise and cinnamon sticks
or if all else fails, semi-ripe bananas…then call it Pochero
2. for a crunchy crust – melt sugar on a pan, slow fire of course and watch the color because you don’t want that to taste bitter, then just pour it over your Hamonado and watch your crystal crust say hi
3. stuffed hamonado – before I put it in the fiery furnace, my usual stuffing is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. but if you want to have a more “mommy” kind – bread crumbs, mixed herbs rolled with melted butter
4 tutti fruity – simmer with any of your favorite fruit. try pears or peaches
@jhustin that is a bit not-Filipino but hey merry merry Christmas to you too jhustinapay
@allan you on the other hand need to comment more here rather than dump me messages asking about recipes on facebook. cocktails man. it’s easy to buy and easy to make. Who are your guests? or better yet read here first. Then come back to me.
@Food Fascination you have to bribe me first.
Fruit Cakes are quite addictive and my mom always bake them every month.~”-
Fruit Cakes are the specialty of my grandmother, she bakes lots of fruit cakes.”.
this december, fruit cakes are becoming more common in our local supermarket. i love fruit cakes ~:.
This is exactly the info Needed. Thanks for writing this posting.
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