Even before All Saints’ Day, I’d already gotten a number of requests for holiday menu ideas. If my readers’ concerns are anything by which to judge the mindset of most Filipinos, I’d say it’s true that we really mean to live up to the image that the Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world.
First off, let’s clarify some things. I find the concept of “holiday dishes”? weird. Any dish is good for a party. It”?s the combination of dishes that make a menu fit for entertaining and special occasions.
And while the Noche Buena meal is a full main meal, I know that it is only one of the special meals of the holiday season. Between Christmas and New Year, families and friends get together, some in big groups and some in small groups.
But not every get together has to be a main meal event. Friends can get together for brunch or a mid-afternoon coffee and tea party, adults can chat and unwind over drinks and pica-pica while the younger set can have their own play parties with kid-friendly food. And these gatherings do not call for a whole lechon, a huge pot of kare-kare or a whole leg of ham. Let me give you an example.
Mid-afternoon coffee and tea party menu
fudgy cheesecake brownies
Chinese ham, corn and cheese muffins
baked apple donuts
mini sandwiches with smoked tanigue and cream cheese filling
hot coffee
Vietnamese iced coffee
hot tea or infusions
The fudgy cheesecake brownies can be baked two days ahead. Chinese ham, corn and cheese muffins and the apple donuts can be baked a day before the party. Just keep everything in the fridge in airtight containers. Serve the brownies chilled or at room temperature. Reheat the muffins and donuts before serving.
The sandwich filling can be prepared a day in advance. Cut and toast the bread, and fill, a few minutes before serving.
Add a twist to hot coffee by serving with Andes mint chocolate on the side so your guests can drop a piece or two into their cups. If iced coffee is popular with your friends, serve it Vietnamese style. For the non-coffee drinkers, offer tea. For those who don”?t like beverages with caffeine, make an infusion with herbs and fruits.
Yes, me too, I share your views abt the “holiday dishes.” Though fr what I understand fr my late mother, since they were poor during her growing up years (she was born 1936), my grandma would try her best to serve some dishes that they only see during Christmas. So it must have originated that way. … Now in our household, since I’m seldom in the kitchen, basta ako ang nagluto, hay naku, holiday dish na yan kay husband!! lol
Dito naman pag nagluto husband ko, parang Pasko! hahahaha