The ‘ber months are in full swing and Filipinos are already feeling the Christmas breeze. ‘Tis the season when families plan for the most anticipated holiday in the Philippines. But as with any event, timing is everything in making Christmas the most magical celebration of the year!

As the trusted partner of Filipinos in the kitchen, MAGGI understands that food – and sharing it with the family – is the heart of the holiday season. “Christmas is a time when homecooks bring out the most special recipes – those that they love to cook and that their families enjoy sharing together, especially during Noche Buena. MAGGI is here to help empower Filipino homecooks na gawing mas magical ang Pasko as they prepare, cook and transform their dishes into the most delicious Noche Buena spread,” said Ms. Raine Calma, Food & Dairy Culinary Recipe Marketing & Digital Lead.

From choosing recipes and buying ingredients to cooking and welcoming guests on Christmas eve, MAGGI shares 7 secrets to enjoying a stress-free holiday season!

 

1. Explore menu-making hacks – Homecooks need a game plan and MAGGI (https://www.maggi.ph/magicalpasko) is here to serve some menu inspiration. Noche Buena cooking is made easier with access to over 100 recipes that make holiday meals extra special. It's best to lock in your headcount so that you can modify the recipe based on the number of servings you need. 

 

2.   Make a list and check it twice – With a menu in place, it’s time to check the pantry and do an inventory of ingredients. List down the quantities of items needed before heading to the supermarket. A quick check in the grocery's online shelves can help ensure stocks and availability. Holiday traffic is real and so grocery runs should be planned in advance.

3.  Do a test run if cooking a recipe for the first time – Trying out a new dish can be overwhelming. With enough lead time, homecooks can do a trial and have loved ones give comments to improve on the dish. By using only the best seasonings like MAGGI Magic Sarap and its variety of Savor and cube products, they can transform any dish from pwede na to sarap-sustansya and magical levels. 

 

4.  Make ahead whenever possible – Cooking everything all in one day can be tiring. Homecooks can start pre-cooking certain components of the dish to help lessen their kitchen load on celebration day. Meat stews, marinades, embutido, pasta sauces and cookie batter can be prepared a few days ahead. This means planning for fridge space will be crucial to ensure dishes keep well until it's time to serve them.

 

5.  Save the fresh for last – Fruits and vegetables can be purchased in the morning to retain its freshness. Adding fresh pineapple to an all-time favorite fruit salad will elevate the dish. 

 

6.  A little help goes a long way – This is the perfect bonding time for the family, when homecooks pass on their cooking techniques and share their passion for food with their children. The joy in cooking will translate in your dish, too!

7.   Give your Noche Buena table setting an added flair – Adorn the dining table with bits and pieces of Christmas to make the Noche Buena gathering even more memorable. It can be as simple as a red ceramic platter for your chosen entrée, scattering a few Christmas balls or adding candles with gold ribbons for an added touch of magic.  

 

According to Calma, these simple tips from MAGGI are aimed at helping homecooks manage their time, resources and energy. “The holiday rush can get the best of us because we only want the best for the people we love. Proper planning can make all the difference and allow the whole family to spend more time together, celebrating and enjoying their most magical Noche Buena yet.”