17/12/2023
Time flies so fast, 7more days to go and its Christmas!
The most awaited wonderful season of the year all over the world.
Among the countries that glorify the birth of Christ, Philippines has the longest celebration of the season started by the “Simbang Gabi” or Nine Mornings, starting from December 16 until Christmas day.
It is a Roman Catholic practice that religious people attended the mass for Nine consecutive nights or days, many believed that wishes will be granted for complying this devotion.
When it comes to family bonding and dinner or nochebuena for christmas celebration.
Most of us are probably thinking on what will be the special cuisine that we gonna put on our table for the festivity.
So, here are some of traditional foods that the Pinoys prepared for the celebration especially on Christmas Eve to be shared with the family and friends, for it is also the time for reunion and get together since its holiday!
Upper income Filipinos always have ham
Pinoy table wouldn't be complete without "Ham", known for being the star of the noche buena with the tender meaty goodness.😋 Home made ham is typically the Pinoy's choice because of the sweet taste from pineapple sauce and caramelized sugar.
marketplace BigBenta.com, a fast-growing ecommerce company in the Philippines, asked the public through a survey to find out what is Noche Buena’s staple food? It will come as no surprise that is – ham. Apparently, ham is considered to be a special dish that is reserved for special occasions like Christmas and New Year; the special time when Filipino families splurge to make family members enjoy a grand feast of their favourite dishes.
And the famous "P**o Bumbong" is just around outside the church's which a lot of street vendors are selling.
Its rare to find one during regular days because it is a seasonal "kakainin" that only found during Christmas time.
P**o Bumbong was made from a special variety of sticky rice called "parirutong" with a distinct purple color. Top with butter or margarine and additional cheese to make it more special, with shredded young coconut and sugar (mostly brown sugar).
Be sure not to miss the National dish of the Filipino, "Lechon"!
😋😋.
Lechon (roast suckling pig) is one of pinoy tradition on the Christmas table, plus Roast Turkey or Chicken Relleno (Stuffed chicken), Fruit Salad, ensaimada (a brioche-type pastry), Leche Flan (caramel custard), Apple Pie. Christmas Ham and Queso de Bola (Edam Cheese).
Which is always present in most of the festivals here. Better to serve this whole lechon for big parties.
Cebu is considered as having the best lechon all over the country.
The whole pig is skewered by long bamboo, of course the entrails is already removed and replace by special ingredients that will be put on the pit with charcoal, like cooking a barbecue.
Pansit Bihon" or Pansit Guisado is a Filipino stir-fry noodles popular for everyday meal.
But this dish is also often served in special occasions like birthday (for the belief of having a longer life by eating it) and of course during noche buena.
There are a lot of versions or way of cooking this Pinoy cuisine but mostly, it is saute with pork, chicken or shrimp with veggies like carrots, chayote, cabbage, celery top with pork "chicharon" for additional flavor and presentation.
For more options "Pinoy Style Spaghetti" is on the list.
Though we love pansit, there are some picky buds who enjoy western inspired food specifically the kids.
The Pinoy style spaghetti has a sweet meaty taste and lots of hotdog slice on it... Yum!😋
And of course, we are famous for the scrumptious seafood!
Who won't say NO to these "Steamed Crabs" and "Buttered Garlic Shrimp"?
But make sure you don't have allergies on these kind of foods and eat in moderation for a healthy diet.
Beacuse more Pinoy dishes are still on your buffet table. They are...
The "Pork Hamonado", sweet style pork marinated in pineapple almost has the same taste with fiesta ham.
While "Embutido", is a homemade meat loaf. From ground pork mixed with seasonings, carrots, raisins, sausage or egg, cheese and other ingredients depends on your preference. Wrap in aluminum foil and steamed in boiling water.
Another one is "Menudo", is a popular pork dish in every gatherings as well as in daily menu. It is composed of lean meat, pork liver, hotdog, potato, carrots, bell pepper, green peas, garbanzos, raisins some also add pineapple with tomato sauce.
And the perfect for the cold weather of December, the "Beef Bulalo"!
It is a soup from beef shank with bone marrow, cabbage, potato, petchay, corn and seasoning.
These dishes are perfect paired with rice.
And all of these are required a little more time in preparation, so while waiting for these to be cook better to try first the appetizers...
Like "Spring rolls" made from ground pork or beef with carrots, eggs, minced onion and garlic and seasonings. Wrap in egg lumpia wrapper and deep fry.
"Crispy Fried Chicken" which is known by everyone and the "French Fries" that loved by all human beings especially the kids.
But for more interesting savor, "Tempura" is the best with its spicy flavor.
And if you had enough, its time for the desserts!!! 😋😋
Who wouldn't recognize these for your sweet tooth?
Ugh! Lechen Plan, Black Forest Cake, Mango Tiramisu and Creamy Fruit Salad?
But there is more Salad version that I prepared...
The "Fresh Veggie Salad" and "Chicken Macaroni Salad".
To complete the Holiday's celebration a bottle of wine (or three 😂) makes the "barkada" and family bonding more exciting while chit chating for catching up. The wine are perfect with "Nachos".
Oh! before I forgot, the "Tikoy" is also included in the table, a Pinoy delicacy mainly composed of sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar. Filipinos has this belief that "Malagkit" (sticky rice) should always be present for the symbolism of thigh bond of the family, same as the characteristics of malagkit. 😅
And the flavorful "Keso de bola" for the round shape and colorful red wrapper has a significant role in this Yuletide season.
Whew! after much food intake, fruits are best to eat for a help in digestion.
By the way, this is what we had last year and I prepared most of them except for the lechon, ham, keso de bola, tikoy, black forest cake, and wine. We just both that from the market.
I hope you have an idea now on what to prepare for this coming Christmas.🌲🌲🍁🍁🎁🎆🎇✨
