Tis the season, once again, for gift-giving and merry-making. Lifestyle has picked out delightful food items prepared by kitchen experts for easy, fuss-free dinner and potluck parties.
Nic’s Gourmet Holiday Spread
What: A well-planned dinner spread guarantees a memorable Christmas celebration. Keep these dishes in your must-have list, starting with Maggie’s East Coast Turkey served with buttered corn, cranberry sauce, gravy and a flavorful stuffing.
Pair the turkey with Chicken Relleno, whole deboned chicken stuffed with ground meat, spices and quezo de bola; Salmon Crunch, baked salmon fillet with a hint of spice, served with salad and parmesan mashed potato; and the traditional Caesar Salad and Meat Lasagna.
Cap them off with a bite or two of the buttery Parmesan Ensaymada. Nic’s Gourmet also has a wide selection of gourmet spreads for all occasions.
Maker: Rina Silayan Go, Nic’s Gourmet
Price: Maggie’s Turkey, P5,400 for six to eight persons; Caesar Salad, P900 for eight persons; Salmon Crunch, P1,395 for eight persons; Chicken Relleno, P1,500 for six to eight persons; Parmesan Ensaymada, P355 for six pieces. Order two days in advance. For pick-up and delivery.
Where: G/F Phase 1B UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. Call 9585574, 3549081, 3549082, 09989933234, 0999-9948131 and 09177002513. Visit www.nics.com.ph.
Galantina in a Loaf
What: Traditional chicken galantina reinvented as a loaf made of lean ground pork, chorizo de bilbao, cheese, olives, special spices, raisins, peas, olive oil and red wine. A layer of deboned chicken thigh sits in the middle of the loaf, served with raspberry sauce to bring this traditional Christmas dish to a different level.
Another must-try is Chorizo and Olives Pasta, flat noodles mixed with a hearty tomato-based pasta sauce made with olive oil, lean ground pork, chorizo de bilbao, mushrooms and olives, and perfumed with red wine. It’s best served with green salad and bread.
Maker: chef Dorothy MJ Ferreria
Price: For galantina, P1,200 for 12 servings. For pasta, P950 for six to eight servings. For pickup only, call three days in advance.
Where: Panay Avenue, near Scout Borromeo, South Triangle, Quezon City; call 9618682, 09260151384
Cannelloni
What: Here’s a unique take on the classic lasagna, using layers and layers of fresh, homemade pasta, seasoned meat and three kinds of cheeses (colby jack, mozzarella and cheddar).
Price: P1,700 for 10-12 servings. For pickup only, call two days in advance.
Maker: Linda Morelos, Dulcelin Gourmet
Where: 36 Times St., West Triangle, Quezon City; call 3742165, 3742167, 09175352592 and 09175192288
Jamon Bulaceña
What: Get a taste of traditional cured ham with Jamon Bulaceña, made in the traditional manner in Malolos, Bulacan. It’s a fully cooked, sliced, frozen and vacuum-sealed product. To serve, simply put ham in a pan with some sauce and heat until caramelized to your liking.
Maker: Nicole Acorda, Le Delice Private Catering
Price: P800/kilo and P750 for 10 kilos and above. It may also be ordered whole, but price will vary depending on weight. An order comes with a separate sauce. For pickup and delivery. Free delivery for 10 kilos and above in Quezon City area.
Where: Quezon City; call 09499016263 and 6979133.
Salad and Sugar-free Jello.
Mario’s Christmas Spread
What: Jazz up your holiday table with this appetizing spread of Prawns Thermidor, stuffed tiger prawns with a light cheese sauce; Paella Valenciana, a filling mix of seafood, chicken, pork and sausage; Seafood Linguine, a combo of squid, shrimps and clams in thick tomato sauce; Caesar Salad, Mario’s classic salad; and Sugar-free Jello.
Maker: Nenuca Benitez, Mario’s Restaurant
Price: Prawns Thermidor, P795/order of two pieces; Paella Valenciana, P675/order for two to three persons; Seafood Linguine, P335/order; Caesar Salad, P260/order; Sugar-free Jello P570/whole. Order two days in advance.
Where: 191 Tomas Morato St. Quezon City, call 4153887, 3720360, 09173232404, 09328557243; 16 Upper Session Road, Baguio City, call (074) 4424241,09052973384. E-mail [email protected] and [email protected].
Seafood Couscous Salad and Angus Rib-Eye Steak
What: This seafood and beef combo is guaranteed to be a hit at your holiday dinner table. Seafood Couscous Salad consists of mussels, shrimps, octopus and salmon tossed in a refreshing Mediterranean couscous salad with roasted garlic.
The salad is matched with tender, juicy certified US angus rib-eye steak.
Maker: Chef Martin Kaspar, L’entrecote Corner Bar and Bistro
Price: Seafood Salad, P475 plus 10-percent service charge. Certified US Angus Rib-Eye Steak 12 oz, P2,380 plus 10-percent service charge. For dine-in and pickup, order a day in advance.
Where: Unit A Bellagio II Burgos Circle, Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City. Call 8564858; e-mail [email protected].
Curry Chicken Wings and Chicken Biryani
What: Aromatic and flavorful Southern Indian dishes that will surely lend lip-smacking magic to your holiday table. The curry-flavored chicken wings come with jasmine turmeric rice and yoghurt dip.
The Chicken Biryani has garam masala, which consists of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and other spices that young entrepreneur Pam Augustin dry-roasts and grinds herself.
Maker: Pam Augustin and Pau Pastor, South Spice Hut and Little Bear Restaurant
Price: Chicken Wings, (25 pieces) P1,500 for 7 to 8 people. An order comes with Jasmine turmeric rice and yoghurt sauce. Chicken Biryani, P2,900 with papad and yoghurt sauce for 15 people. Owners can adjust the spicy level for biryani, mild and classic.
Where: Little Bear Restaurant, 23 East Kapitolyo Drive, Pasig City; South Spice Hut at Container Turf Food Park, BF Homes, Parañaque City. Call 09166137496.
Spicy Asian Spareribs
What: Take your taste buds on an adventurous trip with this Spicy Asian Spareribs, slow-cooked in secret spices. It’s juicy and meaty and has a nice extra kick to the bite. End the meal with soft and buttery homemade ensaymada with cheddar cheese.
Maker: Jane Lim
Price: Spareribs, P1,280 for eight to 10 servings. ensaymada, P720/one dozen, P360, half dozen. Call three days in advance. For pickup only.
Where: Alabama Street, Brgy. Kristong Hari, Quezon City; call 09163462889.
Barrio Fiesta Feast
What: Barrio Fiesta serves comfort as well as adventurous dishes for your noche buena feast. Start off with Rock & Roll, Barrio Fiesta founder Sixta Evangelista’s original recipe. Then, work your way around Caesar Salad, Baked Lasagna, Roast Pork, Crispy Pata and Mini Bibingka.
Maker: Aui Tamayo, Barrio Fiesta Greenhills
Price: Party Trays are good for 15 to 20 people. Rock & Roll, P970; Caesar Salad P1,390; Baked Lasagna, P1,930; Roast Pork with gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetable sides, P1,610; The Original Crispy Pata, P2,530; Mini Bibingka, P750. Free delivery within the restaurant’s area. Free buffet setup for minimum of P7,000 worth of Party Tray orders.
Where: Barrio Fiesta Greenhills, Edsa corner Rochester St. Call 5719842 or 7267836.
Jolly Holiday Delight
What: Nothing can be more festive and exciting than a huge glazed and smoked ham as your noche buena centerpiece. Choose from any of these well-cured, herb-and-spice-laden hams, such as the Glazed Bone-In Chinese-Style Leg of Ham with its sweet-salty tender meat; Chicken Loaf, stuffed with homemade galantina; Glazed Chinese-Style Boneless Christmas Ham, which goes well with breads; Smoked and Glazed Honey-Cured American Ham, perfect as party-finger food; and Turkey Breast Ham, which has a golden brown glaze and is naturally smoked.
Price: Chinese-style Leg of Ham P1,050/kilo (minimum of three kilos); Chinese-style Boneless Ham P650/kilo (minimum of one kilo); American Ham P450/kilo; Chicken Ham, P450; Chicken Loaf, P280. Call two days in advance. For pick up and free delivery for bulk orders within Quezon City.
Maker: Josie Sioson of Josefina’s Ham, Jolly Boy Best Foods Corp.
Where: 87 Kanlaon St. corner Maria Clara St., Quezon City; call 7434238,09178448160
Prime Deli Gourmet Ham
What: The pleasant aroma of premium smoked ham makes for a lovely holiday treat. This prime deli ham is all-natural, 100-percent quality US pork traditionally smoked for 12 hours using hickory and sandalwood chips, which gives its distinct and premium taste.
Maker: Jiro Tan, Smoking J’s Enterprise
Price: P670/kilo. Call three days in advance. For pickup or delivery for a minimum order.
Where: 6 Bentong St. Mayamot, Antipolo City; call 09189026638, 6457412. E-mail [email protected].
Pork Belly Kimchi
What: Savory pork and chicken dishes perfect as viands or party finger food. The slow-cooked Pork Belly Kimchi offers juicy slices of pork belly with kimchi on the side. The skewered Tamarind Chicken has chicken marinated in lemongrass, coriander and black peppercorn, served with tamarind and chives sauce.
Maker: The Pig Pen Restaurant, Urban Artisan Kitchen Inc.
Price: Pork Belly Kimchi, P380 for two persons, P800 for six persons, P1,525 for 12 persons. Grilled Tamarind Chicken, P380 for two persons, P800 for six persons, P1,525 for 12 persons. Plus 10-percent service charge. No advance order required.
Where: Eton Tower Makati, Dela Rosa corner Rufino Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati; Call 8178174, 0917-1576469. Solenad 3 Nuvali Cinema Building, Ayala Mall, Laguna, call (049) 2580866 and 09778395061
Holiday Cravings
What: Cravings has classic party staples and choice selections, including Lengua con Champignon, succulent ox-tongue in reddish brown sauce, button mushrooms, and olives; Chicken Gallantine, rolled chicken breast perfectly matched with Austrian potato salad; and Roast Beef with Mushroom Sauce, slow-braised beef delicately basted au jus, deglazed red wine.
Maker: Badjie Guerrero-Trinidad, Cravings restaurant
Price: Lengua con Champignon, P1,000 for five to six persons and P1,950 for 10-12 persons. Chicken Gallantine, P700 for five to six persons and P1,600 for 10-12 persons. Roast Beef with Mushroom Sauce, P1,000 for five to six persons, and P1,900 for 10-12 persons.
Where: 287 Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Call 4334498, 09209831095, 09171070323, 9079205. Visit cravings group.com/cravecelebrations.
Eggless Cassava Cake
What: Stay true to Filipino tradition with this rich, creamy and cheesy eggless cassava cake as your holiday meal finale.
Maker: Joel dela Cruz
Price: Cassava cake price starts at P150. Call three days in advance. For pickup or meet-up only.
Where: Bacoor, Cavite. Meet up on Chino Roces, Makati City. Tel. 09479915905
tartar sauce, US Fries and Onion Rings
Christmas Food Platter
What: Gumbo offers Food Platter-To-Go, which includes Baked Garlic Bread Chips with Spinach Artichoke Formaggio, New Orleans Shrimps with Tartar Sauce, US Fries and Onion Rings.
Burgoo, on the other hand, offers its Supreme Sampler Food-To-Go featuring Barbecue-spiced Chicken Wings with Ranch Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, US Cheddar Cheese Fries and Fried Calamari.
Maker: Albert Alavera, Gumbo and Burgoo Restaurants
Price: Gumbo Food Platter-To-Go, P595 for eight to 10 persons. Burgoo Supreme Sampler Food-To-Go, P595 for eight to 10 persons. For pickup only.
Where: Gumbo branches: SM Mall of Asia, The Block, Mega Atrium, Robinsons Manila Midtown, Gateway Mall and Robinsons Magnolia. Call 5560239, 4420106, 6353015. Burgoo outlets: Tomas Morato, Powerplant Mall, The Podium, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Galleria, The Block, SM Marikina, Fairview Terraces by Ayala, SM Southmall, The District Imus, Starmall Prima in Taguig, and Solenad 3 in Sta. Rosa Laguna. Call 9277424, 8981815.
