RECIPES
A no-fuss Christmas menu
* With a budget of P2,000, you can have an instant gourmet Christmas party for eight persons. Tell two of your friends to bring red wine
This is a very busy season for everybody and sometimes we want to eat something gourmet but don't know where to start. Well, this article will feature some food ideas you could serve to your loved ones and friends.
NACHO PARTY. Buy some imported nachos, tomato salsa, sandwich spread and cut up some carrots, celery and cucumber. Arrange these on a wooden plate and garnish with organic lettuce. Estimated cost = P300. Good for 8 persons.
ITLAIAN ANTIPASTO STATION. But from the delicatessen some cold cuts like beef pastrami, smoked pork sausage and Lyonner. Include some cheeses like Emmenthal, Gruyere, Parmegiano Reggiano. Buy at least 100 grams per kind and include some crackers from a nearby sari-sari store. Arrange the cold cuts on a big platter and garnish with seedless grapes and sliced oranges.
Estimated cost = P500. Good for 8 persons.
MAIN COURSE CARVERY. Buy Whole Rack Bourbon Barbecue Ribs from Bourbon Street. Instruct them not to slice the ribs so that you could experience the carvery.
Estimated cost = P500. Good for 8 persons.
PASTA BAR. There are ready-made pasta sauces in the grocery but the ultimate secret in tweaking this is to sauté the pasta sauce again in garlic, onions and tomatoes. If you have some olive oil, a light drizzling is nice. If there's none, butter will do. After the cooking process, turn off the heat and mix in 2 tablespoons of cold butter.
In the pasta bar, include some Tuna Flakes, Olives, Capers and Parmesan Cheese. Transfer them in a bowl and voila! you have your instant condiments.
Boil bow tie and linguine pasta so that you could have a choice. Just 500 grams of each uncooked pasta is good for 8 persons.
Estimated cost = P300. Good for 8 persons.
DESSERT BAR. Miniature Cakes are "in" these days. Buy five kinds of Mini Cakes at Tinapayan and arrange on the table.
Melt two bars of Toblerone Chocolate over simmering water and transfer to a dish, preferably a ceramic container. Put some tea lighted candle beneath so that it will keep warm.
Buy mallows, apples, grapes and bamboo skewers and you have an instant fondue station.
Estimated cost = P400.
BUDGET. With a budget of P2,000, you can have an instant gourmet Christmas party for eight persons. Tell two of your friends to bring red wine.
Always remember that a very good party is not about the food but how you enjoy it.
Until next time. Ciao!