Cover (Photo: Libby Penner / Unsplash)
(Photo: Libby Penner / Unsplash)
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Here's what we're looking forward to as midnight nears this December 24, 2022!
It's getting closer and closer to Christmas and we're sure you're excited about a lot of things! Over on our end? We're thinking of the food! A delicious, delectable spread with pasta, roasts, salads, desserts, and some more of our familiar favourites. Today, we ask Team Tatler what they're looking forward to having on the dinner table as midnight draws near this December 24, 2022.
Read more: Filipino Christmas Songs That Picture Pinoy Christmas
If you have yet to prepare for your own noche buena, take some cues from our team's favourites! You may just find a new one for yourself too.
Ham & Queso de Bola
Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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"Warmed pan de sal, thin shavings of queso de bola, and some Christmas ham (with a glaze if I’m lucky). While I can’t say it’s necessarily my favourite noche buena snack, it’s a simple yet comforting bite that’s become synonymous with the holidays. As a family of three, we end up with lots of leftovers—particularly with bigger items like queso de bola and Christmas ham. Though we normally portion off leftovers to give away, my parents and I love queso de bola and Christmas ham, so we keep lots of it for ourselves to munch on throughout the festive season. Luckily they both keep quite well and can be utilised in many other ways so they never get dull. (One to try: flat, thin shavings of queso de bola melted in the microwave with some grapes.)
I’m also a sucker for a buttery, fluffy bibingkang galapong, but it’s not a delicacy I save for exclusively for Christmas. I’d be miserable if I did."
- Lauren Golangco, Tatler Dining Officer
Cold Cuts & Finger Food
Above (Photo: Jirayu Koontholjin / Unsplash)
(Photo: Jirayu Koontholjin / Unsplash)
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"Cheese, cold cuts, dried fruits and chocolates. [These are] just a few items to nibble on while the family drinks and gathers waiting for the actual noche buena. [We usually order these from] Dough & Grocer, Santis, or Terry's Bistro. I'm also currently on the hunt for the best queso de bola spread. Let me know!"
- Liezl Adraneda, Head of Sales
Puto Bumbong & Bibingka
Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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"My all time fave is puto bumbong and bibingka. I don't know if that's a noche buena staple per se, but for me, it's not something that's available all year round (at least for puto bumbong). And because it's not available all year round, it's something I always look forward to having once the "-ber" months hit. My favourite ones are the ones being sold on the side streets. For some reason, they taste a lot better than the ones served at restaurants."
- Nicole Trinidad, Senior Account Manager
Read also: Where to Order the Best Bibingka
Macaroni Salad
Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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"My lola used to make macaroni salad when I was younger. As someone who doesn't like a lot of mayonnaise, I loved how her technique in mixing the sweetness of the raisin to [cut the creaminess of the] mayo dressing. Although I prefer the classic macaroni salad, it's nice to have the Pinoy rendition sometimes."
- Christine Andas, Features Writer & Style Lead
Cake
Above (Photo: Aneta Voborilova / Unsplash)
(Photo: Aneta Voborilova / Unsplash)
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"My family and I always change up our noche buena meal so nothing really stays the same. We could have shrimp foo young and lumpia on the menu for one year and then Hainanese chicken and bibingka for the next. The one thing that always stays constant is the cake we have for dessert. Since we usually celebrate it in the province, our choices of bakeries are pretty limited, so we always end up getting Red Ribbon. We'll put the most generic dedication on it and cut it up to share. It's nothing fancy but it's very comforting—and honestly really good (especially their caramel cake! I would say it outdoes Estrel's)."
- Ryanne Co, Features Writer & Front & Female Lead
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