--- Learn endless cooking tips and tricks on which airs weeknights on SBS Food at 7.00pm and 10.00pm, or stream it free on . Catch up on the Christmas dessert and Christmas roast episodes now on On Demand. ---
Three Filipino-Australians give their take on what makes a fuss-free and festive Filipino Christmas feast.
Kim Cudia: Chef and co-owner of Lolo and Lola, Canberra
Chef Kim Cudia thinks Christmas is about combining Filipino and Australian traditions.
"Back home we would have the typical feast – hamon [baked ham], roasted chestnuts, lechon manok [roast chicken], macaroni salad, fruit salad and leche flan [a caramel custard dessert] prepared by my mum and grandmother."
CHRISTMAS DESSERT
Leche flan (custard cake)
While Cudia continues the tradition of hanging parols (Christmas lanterns) both at home and at her restaurant during Christmas, there's one major thing she's done away with.
"We don't cook during Christmas. Everything is store-bought; that's how we make it stress-free," Cudia laughs.
However, she makes an exception for one dish: a big bowl of , which she says is best if "the fruit cocktail is drained in the fridge overnight, so you don't end up with a soupy salad."
It's fun, it's crazy and wild. Keep it colourful as possible.
Aside from this, Cudia says her family adopted Australian traditions since moving here.
"Christmas here wouldn't be complete without an outdoor lunch with huge platters of prawns, cold cuts, oysters, cherries and Kensington Pride mangoes. A post-lunch dip in our inflatable pool has become a new tradition in our family too."
Migo Razon: Apoy: Stone Baked Pizza owner and Sheraton Melbourne Hotel executive chef
Christmas is best enjoyed outside, especially if there's a pool. Source: Supplied
Like Cudia, chef Migo Razon's family table is never without the iconic Filipino fruit salad.
"I like my fruit salad a bit frozen. I enjoy it when the nata de coco [coconut jelly] is firm and the grapes are icy," Razon says. "It just brings back happy memories for me and my wife."
Memories of Razon's past Christmases include numerous dinners with his immediate and extended family, which usually span several nights.
"The last dinner would always be at my grandmother's house," he says. "I haven't been back to the Philippines since 2010. I really miss the smell of lechon [roast suckling pig] cooking over hot coals."
In Australia, Razon's family continues to celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. "But aside from the Filipino dishes, my family and I have now included the pavlova to our dinner line-up."
Succulent pork belly stuffed with lemongrass, garlic, salt, pepper and star anise, and slow cooked over charcoal. Source: Sydney Cebu Lechon
For a stress-free dinner, Razon thinks preparation is key. "Make sure to pre-plan and cook some dishes before the day itself."
He jokes, "Also, I make our celebrations stress-free by making sure I buy a gift for my wife!"
Luisa Brimble: Food and lifestyle photographer
Pavlova is a must-have over Christmas. Source: Supplied
While Razon continues the tradition of Nochebuena [Christmas Eve dinner], food photographer Luisa Brimble and her family start feasting earlier.
Brimble says, "In our family, dinner is more laidback and about eating leftovers. Feasting is always lunchtime…and we make sure to delegate dishes."
Lunch consists of a 'boodle fight', which is a military style of eating in which food is placed on a table lined with banana leaves. Eating with your hands is mandatory.
"It's fun, it's crazy and wild. Keep it colourful as possible. It's tempting to put a lot of meat in the mix of things, but balance it out with greens and fruit."
Tender sweet skewers and tangy grilled barbecue meat are Filipino favourites. Served with rice, atchara and sawsawan. Source: Sydney Cebu Lechon
However, balancing isn't just about what's on the banana leaves, but what's on her plate throughout the day.
"I always allow for three days of Christmas celebrations from December 24 to 26," she says.
"Celebrating Filipino Christmas means spending time with family and listening to Christmas songs. It's all about the pageantry, the singing, the dancing, and of course, the crazy games!"
FILIPINO FOOD
Inihaw: Barbecue the Filipino chargrill way
