| So you're planning a little get-together for your friends, | | | | person. If you're hosting in the afternoon, you'll need |
| and you've got a mental list of foods to serve and | | | | about half as much. |
| people to invite. If you think planning a party is that | | | | Don't serve it all at once |
| simple, you're in for a surprise. For one thing, there's no | | | | There are few things worse than running out of food |
| such thing as a 'little get-together' when you're in the | | | | when you're hosting a party. Of course, the safest |
| Philippines. Filipinos love a good party, and they'll go | | | | way out is to overestimate-besides, you can always |
| great lengths to have a feast every chance they get. | | | | use the leftovers for next week's meals. But what if |
| Unfortunately, we're a bit less enthusiastic about putting | | | | you're on a tight budget? The best alternative is to |
| the party together. How do you know which foods to | | | | portion each course. For example, you can serve |
| serve, or how to go about making them? No | | | | appetizers first, the main courses next, and dessert |
| worries-Filipino parties are really quite simple, even if | | | | last. Don't put out all of your food at once. When |
| they're always bigger than expected. Filipino cuisine is | | | | everyone has eaten, fill up your table with all the |
| very diverse, so you won't run out of choices, and as | | | | courses. That way, when they're all full, they can |
| long as there's lots of food, your guests will be more | | | | simply go back to the table and pick their favorites. |
| than happy. | | | | Overbuy the drinks |
| Unconvinced? Here are some useful Filipino food | | | | You can get away with making just enough food, but |
| planning tips you can use for your next get-together. | | | | it's best to play safe when it comes to beverages. |
| Plan in courses | | | | You never know how much your guests will want to |
| Ever been to a party where there was too much | | | | drink. To save money without going cheap, prepare a |
| dessert but not enough of the main course? It's a | | | | nice punch or a few decent cocktails and stock up on |
| common mistake among party planners-they'll make a | | | | cheaper drinks like beer, juice and soda. Get creative |
| quick list of foods they like and then run to the grocery | | | | by mixing your own drinks-there are several low-cost |
| store. Avoid this mistake by planning the entire meal by | | | | Filipino recipes for party beverages. If you're buying |
| course. Do you want to serve appetizers or go | | | | mixers, get them in smaller bottles so you don't waste |
| straight to the main course? How many desserts do | | | | the unfinished bottles. |
| you need? If you have more than two main dishes, | | | | During the party, serve the fancy drinks first, then get |
| you don't need a lot of appetizers. You can serve a | | | | out the canned or bottled drinks when everyone's had |
| variety of Filipino desserts recipes or prepare one | | | | their fill. That way, everyone can try the cocktails and |
| large dessert, such as a pie or cake. | | | | freshen up with the drink of their choice later on. Keep |
| Mind the time | | | | the drinks in an ice box. Be sure to stock lots of |
| If your party is in midmorning or late afternoon, you | | | | ice-about one pound per person-for outdoor or |
| don't need a full-course meal because your guests will | | | | morning parties. |
| just have eaten. Instead of heavy Filipino food recipes, | | | | Prepare take-home containers |
| serve a range of different appetizers or finger foods. | | | | When the party's over, a lot of your guests will want |
| Not only is it more convenient, it also allows them to | | | | to take home some of your leftovers. Don't go |
| mingle while enjoying your meal. Be sure to add | | | | scrambling around for spare containers, which most |
| variety, as people can get tired of one dish fairly | | | | likely won't be returned anyway. When shopping for |
| quickly. | | | | the party, pick up a pack of food bags or disposable |
| People's appetites change with the time of day, so | | | | plates. Give them to your guests when they want to |
| plan accordingly as well. About 10 appetizers per | | | | take home some food. It's more convenient for both |
| person per hour is appropriate for lunch parties. People | | | | parties-you don't risk losing your best plates, and they |
| are generally hungriest during dinner hour, so if you're | | | | can stuff the food in their bags instead of carrying a |
| holding the party then, have at least 14 munchies per | | | | large platter all the way home. |