A basket of 12 fruits

Perhaps a basket of 12 round fruits is the centerpiece in every Media Noche spread. Pinoys are generally known to be superstitious and completing round fruits is a tradition that will never be forgotten. You can serve fewer dishes, but leaving out this basket is a no-no! Rooting from Chinese beliefs, the round shape doesn’t have an end, signifying prosperity and wealth all year long as represented by the 12 fruits. Pineapple is also a must, as its scales look like gold coins. Place it in the center of the fruit bowl for the finishing touch.

Fresh green salad

Kickstart your Media Noche with a serving of fresh green salad. Green symbolizes money and obviously, it’s best represented by vegetables! Fresh salads have endless combinations and you can use a variety of fruits, dressings, and toppings to add. To make the salad fit every family member’s palate, why don’t you have a DIY station? Layout a variety of fresh ingredients, nuts, cheeses, and dressings, and let them go wild on their choices! It’s the best of both worlds: greens that symbolize money and nutritious veggies that would actually help you start the year on a healthy note.

Lumpia

No superstitions on this dish; Pinoy celebrations just aren’t complete without fried lumpia. No wonder why it’s the first dish everyone fights to have their hands on first. Typically made with ground pork and a mixture of vegetables, you can also replace the meat with chicken or seafood. Don’t forget to serve it with a side of sweet and spicy sauce! 

Garlic Shrimp Aglio Olio

You don’t have to spend hours preparing ingredients for a pasta dish. If you want to deviate from the usual Pinoy-style spaghetti or carbonara served in handaans, why don’t you whip up some garlic shrimp Aglio olio? It’s a fool-proof recipe that only requires a few ingredients, but it’s still packed with flavor: olive oil, garlic, shrimp, chili flakes, lemon juice, and parmesan. Sometimes, less is more! 

Check the recipe here.

Pancit Canton

A staple even in birthday celebrations, go for Pancit Canton if you still want a Filipino noodle dish in your Media Noche spread. Another belief with Chinese roots, noodles symbolize a long and healthy life. There are different variations of pancit you can whip up depending on your region, but the traditional version comprises stick noodles, vegetables, and pork. Your mom’s recipe might even include fish balls or kikiam! Best served with toyomansi, it’s a dish every Pinoy family would love.

Lechon

No Pinoy holiday is complete without a dad or Tito chopping some lechon on the side and calling dibs on the skin. After all, it’s worth the painful batok after! It’s uber crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and goes well with your choice of condiment, whether it’s spicy vinegar or gravy. Lechon is even made better the next day when it’s made into lechon paksiw! As the saying goes, the lechon of today is the paksiw of tomorrow.

Kakanin

Kakanin is another delicacy enjoyed during the holidays: from biko and suman during Undas to bibingka and puto bumbong during Christmas. Having sticky rice for the New Year is believed to create a stronger bond and a better relationship among family members. Basically: the family that eats kakanin together, sticks together!

Choco Sans Rival Cake

A good meal full of meaningful conversations with the family is not complete without dessert. Pinoys go ham on sweets, which is why you’ll find ice cream and cakes at every celebration. Start 2021 on a sweet note by sharing Holiday Choco Sans Rival Cake from Goldilocks. The past year may have had bitter days but the New Year is bound to bring the sweetest ones. Chocolate-y with just the right amount of crunch from the nuts, a slice of Holiday Choco Sans Rival Cake is the perfect way to end the Media Noche’s festivities. 

What are you preparing for Media Moche this year? Share with us below!