For Marian Rivera and her family—husband Dingdong Dantes, daughter Zia, son Sixto—there's no other place to celebrate the holidays but their home. (Read here on the fabulous Casa Dantes.)
"Hindi uso sa amin na umaalis ng bahay kapag Pasko," the actress/TV host/entrepreneur said at the recent Mega Prime Kitchen Masterclass (Holiday Edition). She's an endorser of Mega Prime, a Filipino brand of canned products.
"Doon kami sa traditional, lalo na kapag Bagong Taon. Dapat nasa bahay. Sama-sama kami sa bahay."
Marian went on sharing that their extended family comes over to their house bearing signature dishes. For instance, her grandmother Francisca Rivera, who raised her while her mother Amalia Rivera worked in Spain (where Marian's father Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso hails from) brings menudo "na sobrang favorite namin."
Marian's in-laws, led by Dingdong's mother Angeline Gonzalez Dantes, bring their own dish. She herself whips up something tasty for their "potluck" handaan.
The showbiz A-lister, who's also known for being a homemaker and hands-on mom, didn't say at the event what she usually prepares for their Noche Buena and Media Noche. But she did share two recipes that she has tested and proven to be easy to do and enjoy: creamy chicken macaroni salad and easy fruit trifle.
Here are Marian's recipes, courtesy of Mega Prime:
Creamy chicken macaroni salad
Ingredients
- 250 g cooked elbow macaroni
- 200 g chicken breast, shredded
- 1 822 g can fruit cocktail
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 boxes 240 ml all-purpose cream, chilled
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 150g cream cheese
- 3 tbsps sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Marian said on her choice of protein for the salad: "Between ham and chicken, mas gusto ng mga anak ko ang chicken. Doon ako mag-aadjust, kung ano ang gusto ng family ko, ’tapos pasasarapin ko."PHOTO BY Courtesy of Mega PrimeADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWCooking instructions
1. In a large combine cream, mayonnaise and cream cheese. Whisk together until well blended.
2. Add the fruit cocktail, macaroni, chicken breast, and raisins. Mix well until the dressing coats the ingredients.
3. Season with sugar, salt and pepper.
4. Serve chilled.
Easy fruit trifle
Ingredients
- 1 block of cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 box 240 ml all-purpose cream, chilled
- 1 cup condensed milk
- 1 822g can fruit cocktail, drained
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Prepared or store-bought pound cake (or mamon)
Marian suggested opting for the classic type of mamon, or something not so sweet or flavorful "na hindi masyadong nakakaumay." She also suggested letting your kids help you mix the ingredients, so this becomes your bonding activity.PHOTO BY Facebook/Mega Prime (screengrabbed)CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowCooking instructions
1. In a large bowl, whip all-purpose cream until doubled in volume. Slowly add in cream cheese,vanilla, and condensed milk. Blend until well incorporated and cream cheese chunks are no longer visible.
Marian likened her easy fruit trifle to the refrigerator cake also known as mango float or even crema de fruta.PHOTO BY Facebook/Mega Prime (screengrabbed)ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW2. To assemble, in a clear serving glass, layer a slice of pound cake or mamon, add dollops ofthe whipped dressing and top with fruit cocktail. Repeat for 2 or 3 morelayers.
3. Serve chilled.
Read here for more no-bake dessert recipes.
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