A delicious start to 2022

Ringing in 2022 was very different from the past several years and it wasn’t because of the ongoing global situation. Since 2012, celebrating the coming of a new year has been a subdued event in Bacolod City in the Philippines. In recent years, the KBS Drama Awards have become a regular fixture of the evening.

13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST), the new year arrived around noontime where I used to live in the United States.

After travelling back to the US back in September 2021 (see “From Bacolod to Albuquerque (Part 1)“), it was unclear just how long my stay would be (if not permanent). However, given that I was in the country, it was basically a certainty that the holidays would be spent in America (and in EST). After spending Thanksgiving in New Mexico, travelled to New York City ahead of Christmas. Then, enjoyed a festive Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day; which, obviously, meant New Year’s Eve was just a few days away.

After three days of feasting on delicious eats made by my best friend, there was a one-week break before the final meal of 2021. Following the multitude of treats enjoyed during the holiday weekend, a menu was created for a festive night of merriment.

The evening began with albondigas.

The meatballs were delicious and flavorful, and started the evening off right.

This was followed by a hot and flaky stromboli.

Served fresh out of the oven, the pastry was nice and crisp, and the pepperoni filling offered some much-appreciated spice. What was even better, there was a second one made… it wasn’t consumed that evening but it made for a great lunch the next day!

The highlight of the evening were the pork tenderloin sliders. Served as a build-your-own style, the fried and breaded patties were served with Hawaiian bread, pickles, and a spicy tartar sauce.

After having a couple, I could’ve probably cleared the entire platter on my own. As the night went on. and there were still patties, it turned out, they were also really good on their own—pork nuggets.

Last to come out was the pizza dip.

The pizza dip was great. The bread was soft and fluffy, and, as the name suggests, it was cheesy and tasted like pizza—a huge step up from the typical dip.

Ringing in the new year surrounded by friends was definitely a great way to welcome 2022. Hoping it means more reconnections and bonding in the coming year.