Tips for stress-free holiday feasts
As the holiday season approaches, and with it the flurry of Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations, reunions, and company parties, many are turning to convenient and delicious solutions. For busy individuals, novice cooks, and those without access to professional culinary help, prepared foods and deliveries offer an attractive alternative. These options alleviate the stress of hosting, providing a wide range of choices and constant availability.
Rina Go, the restaurateur behind Nic’s, has capitalized on this trend with her gourmet boxes, initially developed during the pandemic. These boxes, complete with a salad, main, drink, and tea, have proven popular for various occasions.
During the recent Assumption velada, the annual October celebration of high school alumni, Go’s batchmates, sapphire jubilarians, opted for gourmet boxes after rehearsals. The boxes offered a variety—Angus salpicao, salmon, or a trio of tuna dill, chunky chicken, and club fillings in whole wheat ciabatta. This innovative approach eliminated the need for helpers to transport and manage bulky coolers filled with home-cooked meals.
Drawing inspiration from her time in New York, where family Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts were a cherished tradition, Go understands the social aspect of food preparation and table setting. In contrast, in Filipino culture, people often rely on helpers to handle these tasks.
Turkey package
“In lieu of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, we had a party for balikbayan cousins and their families. Our turkey package—comprised of turkey with bread stuffing, cranberry jelly, gravy, corn, pasta or lasagna, Caesar salad, and dark chocolate cake—offers a convenient solution. For larger families, hosts often order two packages, while other guests contribute potluck dishes,” Go says.
By offering gourmet boxes and prepared foods, she has tapped into the growing demand for practical, restaurant-quality experiences at home or work. As the holiday season unfolds, these options promise to alleviate stress and elevate celebrations.
Customers can also opt for the seafood marinara pasta and the popular Parmesan crisp with bottled milkfish, tomato, and basil, or bottled mushroom. “Simply heat and serve,” Go says. “Balikbayans particularly enjoy these hors d’oeuvres as they are not served abroad.”
Some customers even order the turkey package as an advanced Christmas gift for friends. “This eliminates the stress of preparing food from scratch,” Go says. “I pre-label the flatware, platters, and bowls, making it easy to transfer the food from the containers to the serving platters.”
For holiday meals, you can create an extensive buffet using Nic’s menu. Go’s renowned turkey or grilled chicken with rosemary garlic confit can be paired with seafood marinara pasta, roast Angus salpicao, spicy crusted salmon, and chicken relleno with queso de bola, along with a fresh salad. Parmesan and cinnamon sticks with dips can whet the appetite, while desserts can include the signature apple pie with queso de bola and peach torte.
Go shares her thoughts on entertaining with precooked meals and deliveries. Back in the ‘80s, a decade of simpler times, holiday traditions were often centered around gratefulness and togetherness, she recalls. “Focus on expressing gratitude for the reasons behind the gathering.”
Here are tips for stress-free feasts:
1. Planning with pre-cooked gourmet dishes
Main course: Choose between a turkey-only option or a package deal with pasta, salad, sides, and dessert.
Additional dishes: Consider adding meat or seafood dishes, and appetizers to keep guests occupied before the main meal.
2. Setting the table
Preset: Arrange serving platters, cutlery, glassware, and silverware on the table and buffet table hours before the guests arrive.
Reheating: Prepare microwavable serving platters for items such as gravy and stuffing. This way, you can quickly transfer dishes from delivery containers to serving platters when they arrive.
3. Practical tips
If you’re short on hands, consider using high-quality disposable tableware instead of laboring over washing china, crystal and silverware after the event.
Ensure you have enough ice for drinks.
4. Pre-dinner gathering
Encourage early arrival for socializing and storytelling. Prepare board games to keep children entertained.
5. Gratefulness activity
To foster a deeper sense of gratitude, consider starting the meal with a round-robin sharing session. Each person can share their thoughts on something they’re grateful for in their life, a positive experience they’ve had, a skill they’re thankful for, a cherished memory, a place they appreciate, or a person they’re grateful for.
To make the event more interactive, prepare small cards with prompts. Let the guests draw these cards from the bowl and find them under their placemats.
6. Leftovers
Provide containers for guests to take home leftovers.
7. Morning after
Go suggests serving sourdough pan de sal with Parmesan pimiento spread or tinapa with egg. White or brown rice bowls can be enjoyed with honey-glazed chicken, spicy salmon, steak and eggs, or garlicky shrimps.
Contact Nic’s Gourmet Desserts at tel. no. (+63918) 819-3279 or email nics.rinago@gmail.com.
