Who says you can't have a New Year's Eve party alone? One of the things I learned these past few years was to enjoy my own company and I can say I'm getting better at it!
So here's the preparation I did for my solo New Year's Eve celebration.
Three days before the calendars change, I went to Mamalol's restaurant to pick up the Christmas I reserved. Unfortunately, all the hams were already reserved when I went last December 17 and the earliest date for the next batch of their hams is after Christmas. The only available weight was 800g, exactly what I prefered because I'm the only one eating it and it's the cheapest. I wish I could make a reservation earlier next holiday.
Since the restaurant was already near a mall, I decided to buy some things at the grocery. I always prefer doing my groceries at this mall even though there are other malls near home because they have wider aisles and have most of the things I need.
I only bought few items because I will have to ride a jeepney. It's difficult to carry lots of bags in a jeepney and it will be an inconvenience for other passengers because it will block the aisle.
While I was leaving the grocery, the bakery on the side caught my attention and saw the baguettes on the display rack. I've always wanted to buy one but it's too big to carry. Until I noticed they have little versions too. They named it "Tiny Baguette". Lol. I immediately purchase three and also bought these interesting bread dipped on chocolate on both ends.
I don't have a photo of the whole baguette but here's a sliced one. I also used one for a sandwich. You can see it later as you read this post.
While I was lining up at the cashier, I noticed baskets of bibingka on top of the counter. I asked the price and cashier said it costs Php 85 or $1.45 USD. Unfortunately, the egg on it was only boiled egg. The taste could've been better if it was salted egg.
Fast forward to December 31, I began preparing my New Year's eve meals around 9 P.M. I'm having a pasta dish so I started with making the garlic bread. I learned to love garlic since I started cooking by myself. The more garlic, the better!
Then I proceeded frying some slices the hamon or christmas ham. This is for the hamon sandwich I am also making.
For the pasta dish, I'm having this easy to cook creamy mushroom truffle pasta. I have never tried truffle pasta but I am very curious about it since I always see it online.
The pasta and sauce kit is good because it also includes mushrooms. All I need to add was garlic, butter, and olive oil.
I first cooked the pasta before mixing the sauce and other ingredients. Then I tossed the pasta into the sauce before adding the truffle oil.
Meanwhile, here's the hamon sandwich. I also added scrambled eggs and edam cheese or quezo de bola on top. Then for the final touch, I added some of the ham's sauce.
A quarter before midnight I began to devour my New Year's Eve meal while blasting the speakers with LiSA's music. I'm referring to the Japanese LiSA, the anisong demon slayer queen songstress, not the other Lisa most people know.
I first tasted the hamon sandwich. I love the texture of the baguette and of course, you can never go wrong with christmas ham and edam cheese together. The filling of the sandwich just look messy but it's good.
And here's the main dish for the celebration! I added some slices of edam cheese and dusted some dried parsley leaves and parmesan cheese on the pasta.
Did I like the taste of truffle pasta? I've read it has earthy taste and smell. It was true. Well, it's not like I don't like it's taste but I'd say it's not something that would make it into my favorites list. What I didn't like though was the smell.
For my drink, I blended matcha powder with cold milk. I think it's better than having sparkle drink or beer.
My foods might look few compared to the foods on your tables but these was more than enough for me. I could even hardly finish it. And the truffle pasta was actually good for two to three persons. What you see on my plate is actually only half of the actual pasta dish I cooked.
If you also notice, I am eating in front of a tiny Christmas tree and a lighted photo. It's my mama's photo. I always include a photo of her during special occasions to feel as if she's here celebrating with me. When she was still around, it has been always both of us celebrating the holidays. The celebration goes on even though she is longer physically here.
Of course, even though I can't go out, I was also doing a countdown and watched the clock and date reset to 00:00 and January 1st. I'm blasting off music while eating my New Year's Eve dinner and listening to my neighbor's firecrackers and fireworks.
They all got quiet after 30 minutes though and I realize I was the only one with loud music at 1 A.M. I reduced the volume gradually on each succeeding song while finishing to eat.
Suddenly, I remembered I haven't done any New Year's Eve traditions. I didn't even buy fruits. Lol. I didn't intend to make a prosperity bowl this time but I remembered I have this 1 million dollar bill which was meant to bring financial luck. So I took it from my cabinet and place it in front of me just in case this special celebration brings lucky energies from the universe!
I fell asleep after sending messages to my siblings and finishing my foods. I forgot to eat my cake for dessert nor wash the dishes.
The first thing I did when I woke up was wash the dishes. Then ate the slice of cake. I tried to make my celebration this year simple with lesser foods compared last year. I just want less dishes to clean and New Year's Eve will pass by quickly anyway so might as well just prepare something easy.
And that's how I solo partied the turning of another year. I'm thankful that despite celebrating it alone, I have foods to celebrate it with.
May we all have a great year ahead! :)
Thanks for reading! 💚
