Good to-go food for the holidays

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas is never meant to make anyone feel overwhelmed. So in this season’s series of parties, leave the cooking and everything about the kitchen to the hands of the expert Sentro 1771 chefs and just be concerned about things that matter most — fun, feast and festivity.

Sentro 1771 is launching for the first time its Party to Go menu with size options for six to 10 persons. From appetizer to dessert, executive chef Vicky Rose Pacheco ensures that whatever is your choice, every food is big in size, brimming with flavors, but easy on the pocket. If the goal is serving a classy selection of modern Filipino food, here are some favorite items:

For an attention-grabbing appetizer, the fried kesong puti (P840 and P1,250) is guaranteed a great party addition. Everyone will fall for the bite-sized crunch of the kesong puti rolled and fried in a healthy corn oil, matched with two tasty dips.

Garlicky beef and pork adobo (P1,599 and P2,710) is another certified Filipino dish cooked the Sentro way, with tenderized meats that fall off the bones. Laden with toasted garlic and annatto seeds in a tasty soy sauce and vinegar.

If you think that galunggong (round scad or GG) is nothing but a poor man’s fish, think again. At Sentro, the lowly fish (P650 and P1,070) is filleted, canola-fried and then dressed in olive oil with toasted bits of garlic.

Rich red sauce in fiery spices, the lamb caldereta (P1,450 and P2,400) will delight your meat-lover guests. Chef Vicky ensures that her version doesn’t have the slightest gamey taste from start to finish.

Slow and sensually cooked kare kare (P1,300 and P3,250) is another certified Filipino dish that marks a celebration when served on the table. If entertaining balikbayan guests, there’s no doubt that this is one of those items they’ve been craving all year round, with its peanut-based sauce, ox tail, ox feet, tripe and vegetables.

Oven-baked toasted crumbs on top with creamy white chicken mixed with pieces of veggies beneath, a heaping platter of chicken pastel (P799 and P1,350) evokes feeling of comfort in every bite.

And who would want to miss on Sentro’s sinigang na corned beef (P1,100 for six and P1,699 for 10) for a hearty bowl of this piping-hot, all-time favorite? Having corned beef as the meat for this dish gives a unique spin on the holiday table.

Serve something deliciously unusual pasta like the kusinero pasta (P1,099 and P1,900). Al dente spaghetti, tuyo flakes in garlic oil with bell pepper and parsley, the taste never overwhelms while the recipe is packed with flavors.

Having Sentro 1771 for your party not only makes you feel proud about Filipino food, it also reminds you how to luxuriate over a meal. All you have to do is take your pick from the variety of choices and find yourself enjoying the party worry-free.

Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt 3 is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Mondays to Sundays) while Serendra is from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays to Thursdays) and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Fridays to Saturdays). For details, call Sentro Greenbelt 3 (02)757-3941 or Sentro Serendra (02)856-0581.