Planning For Our Noche Buena 2013

11 days before Christmas and my sisters are already planning what to cook for Noche Buena. OMG! I am not done with my Christmas decors yet!  The truth is, I am not in the mood to set up my decorations this year. The Christmas tree is already up, but the lights and other Christmas decors are still in their respective boxes… we won’t be spending Christmas here.. so that’s one of the reason why.. we’ll be spending Noche Buena with my family and Christmas Day with my cousins (more about that later ha).

My sisters are planning what to have this Christmas, Italian? Filipino, American, Chinese or Japanese themed Noche Buena? hmmm why not Mexican? We can have all the tacos in the world! But I know, deep in my heart, I’d always go for a Filipino themed Noche Buena. And when it comes to Filipino dishes, Kare-Kare, Embotido, Halaya and Leche Flan should be there! That is what heaven on earth for me.. Kare-kare sauce + embotido + steaming rice.. halaya and leche flan for dessert! That is a Merry Merry Christmas! Agree?

I want to surprise my sisters this Christmas with new recipes and with my new baking “talent” hahaha and while looking for a great recipe for Embotido, I came across Green Cross Mommy Pro Christmas Favorites with a Twist Article.

I am sharing with you the recipe for Embotido with a twist:

Ingredients:

2 lbs. lean ground pork

½ cup fresh bread crumbs soaked in ¼ cup milk

1 chorizo (or 4 oz. pepperoni), finely chopped

2 eggs slightly beaten

¼ cup sweet relish

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons raisins (optional)

2 hard boiled eggs, quartered (8 slices)

2 tablespoons softened butter

How to cook it:

1.      Preheat oven to 350°F.

2.      Thoroughly combine all ingredients except cooked eggs and softened butter.

3.      Butter the center of a 12” X 18” piece of heavy duty aluminum foil.

4.      Spread half of the pork mixture on buttered foil making a rectangle about 8”X10”.

5.      Arrange 4 slices of eggs in a row at the center, lengthwise.

6.      Roll meat around eggs and wrap with the foil sealing the edges securely.

7.      Do the same thing with the remaining half of the pork mixture, making two rolls in total.

8.      Bake in a pan for 1 ½ hours. Let rest for 15 minutes before unwrapping. Slice crosswise.

9.      Serve either cold or pan fry until golden brown.

10.  Enjoy!

Recipe Source: salu-salo.com

Can you imagine pepperoni in embotido? That would be wonderful! (I love pepperoni eh haha)

Mommy Pro also features a recipe for Creamy Caramel Flan and Filipino-style Spaghetti. I might try that too!

How about you? What’s your handa this Noche Buena? Are you done planning the dishes you will prepare? Share it with us!