Hosting a dinner party for a small group of friends needs a no-fail menu that won’t break your budget, and this meal plan featuring Filipino recipes will help you do just that.
Watch this video to see how you can make it happen:
Appetizer: Bangus Sisig
It’s a sisig dish minus the guilt; with the milkfish serving as a healthy substitute to pork jowl (face).
Makes 5 servings
1 1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/4 large onion, chopped
4 pieces green chili (siling Tagalog), sliced
2 teaspoons ginger, minced
1 1/4 pieces large boneless bangus, fried, bones removed, and flaked
3/4 tablespoon mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/4 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 tablespoon red chili pepper
1 Melt butter in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the green chili and ginger and saute for 2 minutes.
2 Add bangus flakes then saute until cooked.
3 Add mayonnaise, then season with soy sauce, salt, and black pepper.
4 Transfer to a serving plate. Top with red chili, if desired.
Total cost of the dish: P376.91
Main Dish: Fried Pork Adobo
With only a handful of ingredients, this adobo recipe is very easy to cook. Make it more flavorful by allowing the pork to soak in its juices and garlicky adobo sauce.
Makes 5 servings
1 1/4 kilograms pork belly, sliced into 2-inch pieces
2 1/2 heads garlic, cloves separated
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/4 cups vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 Place pork and garlic in a wok. Season with salt and pepper.
2 Add 1 1/4 cups of water, vinegar, and soy sauce. Simmer over low heat until pork is tender and liquid is reduced by half.
3 Allow pork to render its fat and cook until brown and crisp on the side.
Total cost of the dish: P420.25
Side dish: Aligue Fried Rice
The rich and flavorful aligue (crab fat) makes this fried rice recipe a little decadent.
Makes 5 servings
1 1/4 teaspoons atsuete
3 1/4 tablespoons hot water
1 1/4 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 tablespoons garlic, minced
3/4 cup crab fat
5 cups cooked rice
salt and pepper
1 Soak atsuete in hot water; strain out seeds.
2 Heat olive oil in a frying pan or wok. Add garlic and crab fat. When mixture starts to
bubble, add atsuete juice.
3 Add cooked rice and toss until rice is fully coated.
4 Season with salt and pepper.
Total cost of the dish: P190.20
Dessert: Corn and Buko Pandan Jewels
End your dinner party on a sweet note with this buko pandan recipe with a twist. The corn kernels add a burst of juiciness to this classic dessert.
Makes 5 servings
1 1/4 cups coconut milk
3/4 cup all-purpose cream
3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 1/4 boxes pandan gulaman, prepared according to package directions and sliced into 3/4-inch cubes
1 1/4 cup coconut meat, shredded
3/4 cup cooked tapioca (sago)
1 1/4 cup sweet corn kernels, drained
1 Combine coconut milk, cream, and confectioner’s sugar in a large bowl. Mix until sugar dissolves.
2 Add gelatin or gulaman cubes, shredded coconut meat, and tapioca. Fold gently.
3 Gently mix corn kernels into the buko pandan mixture. Transfer to a large serving bowl
or individual serving bowls. Chill before serving.
Total cost of the dish: P328.22
Cost of all four courses: P1,315.58
Before you head out to the grocery store, make sure to plan your grocery shopping list ahead, taking into account any additional expenses. Bring your BDO Debit Card so you can conveniently pay wherever you shop-just dip or tap and you’re done.
Don’t have a BDO Debit Card yet? Go to any BDO branch near you to apply or click here for more details.
