When I think Christmas food, these are the first things that pop in my head: Fruitcake. My Mom’s fruit salad. Puto Bumbong. Bibingka. Quezo de Bola. And yes, ham. I’m not a big ham eater, but I do make exceptions when the holidays are here.
My favorite Christmas ham would be the one that’s a little sweet and a little salty, with a little fat (oooh indulgence!), thinly sliced. I’d drizzle it with sweet pineapple glaze. Then I’d use it as palaman (filling) for pan de sal. Or eat it with steamed white rice. Or layer it with thin slices of quezo de bola. Or eat it on its own. Then I’d sit in front of the TV and watch those old Christmas clay-mation shows. Christmas morning bliss!
O Christmas Ham, O Christmas Ham. I don’t have any Christmas ham traditions. My late grandfather used to make his own pineapple glaze which I thought was absolutely kickass. That’s the only ham tradition I grew up with. He’s gone though, and I’d rather eat food than cook it, so the quest for my perfect Christmas ham with the pineapple glaze is one I take every year.
Yey for me and H, we were gifted by a family friend with our first round of Christmas ham.
Can you say yummeh? It’s from New City Grocery, Quiapo. It’s just the right amount of light, salty and sweet. There’s that little fatty border I like, and their pineapple glaze is sweet and savory too. The store’s details are in the picture above if you want to know what their other products are and their price list. I can vouch for its yummy factor.
Now please excuse me while I go grab myself some Christmas ham, sit in front of the TV and watch Rudolph. Come join me.
How do you like your Christmas ham — glazed, non-glazed, with pan de sal, quezo de bola, rice, or on its own? Do you cure it yourself or do you buy commercial ham?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Jeanny
December 11, 2008 at 12:08 pm (15 years ago)Oh I want that ham…sarap…
We now have commercial hams (which are too salty or too sweet) seated inside our fridge. They are saved for the Noche Buena and Medya Noche
The other day I asked hubz if we can go to Quiapo, heard the place sells great tasting hams. So this post is so timely. Thanks for sharing the experience. Now I know where to buy.
Jeannys last blog post..
yopejdgreat
December 11, 2008 at 12:55 pm (15 years ago)hmmm…
I don’t cook during Christmas. My aunts do the tasks. What do I do? I eat.
And I am but excited.
Merry Christmas Ms. Toni.
yopejdgreats last blog post..A different Noche Buena
Em Dy
December 11, 2008 at 1:05 pm (15 years ago)Ham and queso de bola are musts in my family. Although the oldies prefer Chinese ham, I like american ham better. Not too much pineapple for me though.
Em Dys last blog post..Lost
Daphne
December 11, 2008 at 1:42 pm (15 years ago)I like my ham glazed with a side serving of queso de bola and chicken macaroni salad. To be consumed with a glass of red wine and I’m a happy trooper!
Daphnes last blog post..Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
giselle
December 11, 2008 at 2:11 pm (15 years ago)I love ham, especially the one from Excelente in Quiapo. I sprinkle some sugar on the slices before
heating and use as “palaman” for hot pandesal. Oooh! Yummy! If I am not able to go there, I just get
from Majestic. Happy eating!
Tetcha Gregorio-Figuerres
December 11, 2008 at 3:26 pm (15 years ago)I like my ham with steaming rice, and we usually just buy commercial ham. By the way, I’d like to apologize for the Power Blog Award I gave you last November 26. Because I’m such a total blogging newbie, I forgot to upload the image of that award in my blog. I only realized my blooper several days after. I already fixed the problem, though. So sorry!
Tetcha Gregorio-Figuerres
December 11, 2008 at 3:29 pm (15 years ago)“Steamed rice,” I mean. Ha ha! Blooper No. 2. In my haste to finish my comment, I wasn’t able to proofread.
Tetcha Gregorio-Figuerress last blog post..What a Day!
Sinta
December 11, 2008 at 6:56 pm (15 years ago)OMG, I remember watching that Rudolph program when I was a kid
I love it! Memories!
I love my ham glazed with lots of pan de sal! I miss pan de sal. How do us expat pinoys survive without it? I need to find a vendor here.
Sintas last blog post..I love Nigella…
Eper
December 12, 2008 at 8:54 am (15 years ago)I love ham! We make our own hamonado every Christmas. There are lots of ways to enjoy it: w/ bread, w/ rice or on its own. Can’t wait for noche buena!
Epers last blog post..6 Things That Make Me Happy
Patti
December 12, 2008 at 10:30 pm (15 years ago)Anong “Mom’s Fruit Salad”?! I’m the one who’s been making gallons of it every Christmas! 10 years na, maybe more! 😛