A Christmas Eve menu with Latin fare
Latino families everywhere will sit to feast in family and friendship on Noche Buena (or Christmas Eve) with recipes that have been passed down through generations and new creations alike. Here are 10 Noche Buena menu ideas that will have you drooling in excitement for your family’s holiday feast.
Bacon-wrapped plátanos fritos
With a spin on the traditional fried, sweet plantains, indulge your guests with a savory appetizer of bacon-wrapped platanitos fritos. Just make sure to prepare plenty–you won’t be able to stop at one!
Teriyaki-glazed sweet plantains
The perfect addition to arroz y frijoles, these fried plantains bathed in a teriyaki glaze are decadent.With a sweet flavor to an old classic, your guest will be wondering what your secret ingredient is.
Cranberry mojito
A festive remix of the old, Cuban classic, this cranberry mojito will have your Noche Buena guests celebrating in style.
Croquetas
Rolled in flour and fried to perfection, your Noche Buena guests will enjoy waiting for the main course with these breaded masterpieces. Croquetas take time to make, so be sure to allow plenty of it. Better yet, assemble the night before and fry before your guests arrive.
Christmas Eve salad
A beautiful arrangement reminiscent of the festive poinsettia, this Christmas Eve salad will delight the eyes as well as your taste buds with pomegranate seeds and a sweet and savory experience.
Cilantro rice
While traditional rice recipes run rampant on Noche Buena, consider making the often over-looked side dish a new, festive look. This cilantro rice recipe will demand some attention, and create a experience for your palate you won’t soon forget.
Lechon asado
A perfect option for a small Noche Buena gathering, this lechon asado recipe is simple and quick to prepare. Traditional in flavors, just improvising with ingredients, your Noche Buena guests will enjoy the tart, garlic-infused pork.
Eggnog flan
For flan enthusiasts that are up to the task, consider creating a Christmas-inspired version with eggnog. Not for the faint of ambition, making flan is a skill not everyone possesses. But clicking over and drooling at this Eggnog Flan is something anyone can do.
Ponche Navideño
A warm, sweet drink served during Las Posadas and Noche Buena, this ponche Navideño is infused with fruit to delight the senses. Warm your guests from the inside out to celebrate a night of family, friends and feast, and also to remember the true reason for the season.
