Noche Buena is a tradition for Filipino families where family members gather together at the dining hall to feast and celebrate the night before Christmas. But planning your family’s Noche Buena can be stressful especially when you’re the one who’s going to prepare all the meals.
Already stressing out on the big day? Here are some tips on how you can avoid the holiday Grinch during Noche Buena.
Prepare ahead
List down the meals that you’re going to prepare for Noche Buena. Then create a shopping list for the ingredients. Expect crowds on shopping malls on December 24 so you better do your grocery shopping days ahead.
Organize the utensils
Arrange the kitchenware that you’re going to need. Make sure that everything is clean and that you have all the instruments in your kitchen. Having an organized kitchen can make cooking a breeze and ease your mind from stress.
Marinate early
Most Filipino dishes require marinating. Some even require seven days of marinating. Always make sure that the marinade has the right amount of salt and that it’s locked on a plastic container or a secured zip lock.
Defrost on time
One of the most common kitchen mistakes is failing to defrost on time. Remember to defrost at the chiller since it’s not safe to defrost at room temperature. If running out of time, use water to soften the meat right away.
Ask your family’s help
Teamwork will always beat the stress of holiday. Ask your family members to help you with the chopping, cleaning, and preparing. You won’t only lessen all the work during Christmas, you will also have the chance to bond with the whole family.
Opt for delivery
If all the decorating and wrapping of the gifts is getting on your head, then it’s okay to put down the frying pan and opt for delivery. There are budget friendly restaurants out there that offer delicious menu for Christmas.