The Homes of Zee

An idiot’s guide to entertaining at home

Want to throw a dinner party, but lack the hosting and culinary skills? Kate Anzani offers a few fool-proof tips on preparing fancy dishes, without all the fancy prep.

Everyone dreams of channeling the Barefoot Contessa, entertaining at home with good food and good company while always being the gracious hostess. Honestly though, for many of us, dinner parties are more about ordering takeout and putting it on a fancy plate–not really something Ina Garten would be proud of.

Thankfully, we have our own entertaining editor and restaurateur Kate Anzani. She gives us some tips on how to throw a fancy party without all the fancy prep. With ingredients bought at Rustan’s Fresh Supermarket, she gives us easy dishes to whip and impress your guests.

SAY CHEESE

A cheese platter is an easy way to make your table look more put together. Kate suggests including a familiar cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella, so the less adventurous don’t get intimidated. There should also be a variety of textures and flavors–the general rule of thumb is to include variety each of aged, soft, firm and blue cheese.

Everything you serve on the side is just as important as the dairy. Bring out crackers or sliced baguettes as something to spread the cheese on. Jams and condiments help to bring out the flavor of the cheese, as does some nuts and dried fruit.

Also, make sure you don’t forget the wine! Some serious gourmands will go all out in the selection–like, champagne for the camembert or the Parmesan with the chianti, for example. If you want to be more cavalier about it, just get a good bottle of red and white each, and enjoy.

TALE OF TAPAS

Clockwise from top left: braesola ham, olives in olive oil, peppers and geta cheese, gin & tonic-infused smoke salmon, spanish chorizo in garlic and olive oil, and anchovies.

The Spanish tradition of appetizers and small plates is one that’s celebrated internationally. Bring it home to your own dining table–it’s easy with just a few key elements and a little bit of plating skills.

Have slices of meat ready. This Bresaola features a strong salted beef flavor, and can be eaten on its own or with cheese and arugula. Follow that up with some flavor, like this Spicy Chorizo drizzled with olive oil. Anchovies (or boqueron) is a salty addition to the table, which goes well with toasted bread. Finish it up with an interesting addition, much like this Gin & Tonic-infused Smoked Salmon.

CANAPE CRUSADE

A simple combination of ingredients come together in finger food that only looks complicated to make. Kate explains that it’s really all a secret of knowing which flavors go with what. Follow this simple cheat sheet for the hors d’oeuvres that’ll have friends thinking you’ve been taking cooking lessons.

Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, November 2016. | Photography Ezekiel Sullano

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 12

Christmas House No. 12 – Heart-felt Holidays at the Hofers’

Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!

Nestled in Banilad, Cebu City, the George Hofer residence stands as testament to enduring elegance. Constructed in the late sixties to early seventies, the mansion exudes timeless charm with warm brown molave wood panels and pristine white marble floors.

Stepping into this grand abode during the Christmas season unveils a journey into a beautifully storied past. This season, Molave wooden entance, intricately carved with the Hofer couple’s monogram, are adorned with opulent yuletide garlands. White velvet poinsettias and persimmon peonies alongside mother of pearl camellias are interspersed with pearlescent berries. Archangel Michael showers the guests with blessings from above, while a macassar ebony wooden effigy of Saint George (slaying the dragon) pays homage to the house owner’s namesake.

Adjacent to a private elevator, a grandiose Christmas tree stands tall, welcoming guests into a sprawling waiting hall. Here, an angel in teal and gold lamé cloth grouped together with exotic blooms gracefully plays the lyre; seemingly entertaining those who await entry.

Further down the hall is an ecru grand piano, where the lady of the house, a skilled pianist, performs Monti’s Czardas, Schubert’s Ständchen, and other rhapsodies on special occasions. A commissioned portrait of George and Dulce hangs on a wall above a console table that separates the hall from the formal dining area.

The Hofer home exudes old-world elegance that is seldom found today, yet its true charm lies in the joyous laughter and warm greetings of the Hofers, who gather annually to share Christmas cheer and delightful yuletide stories in this vibrant space.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 11

Christmas House No. 11 – Christine Pelaez

Designed by the noted Cebu architect Teng Jacinto, this expansive residence stands as a testament to the artful curation of Jun Pelaez. Over the years, he has meticulously assembled a collection of artworks, transforming the home into a gallery that reflects his discerning taste and appreciation for the aesthetic.

As the holiday season graces the air, the residence undergoes a festive tone under the artful touch of Jun’s wife, Christine. Embracing tradition, she bathes the home in the classic Christmas palette of reds and greens, infusing each corner with warmth and seasonal charm. The interior becomes a canvas for the holiday spirit, adorned with wreaths, ornaments, and the timeless glow of twinkling lights.

However, the true heart of this home lies in its welcoming spirit. There are two dining rooms, with chairs adorned with red bows and festive centerpieces, where family and friends converge for an equally sumptuous meal.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 10

Christmas House No. 10 – The Hudsons’ Christmas Chronicles

The Hudson’s household buzzes with enthusiasm each time the holiday season unfolds. The heart of their Tokyo home, the Hudson Christmas tree, stands tall and proud, adorned with tinsel and cherished trimmings that span the years of their family’s growth. Each ornament tells a story, marking the arrival of a new family member with the annual addition of baubles bearing their names: Mary, George, Victoria and Charles.

Charles, the youngest Hudson at twelve, beams with joy as he proudly places the Christmas star atop the tree. No longer reliant on his father’s shoulders, Charles revels in his newfound height and the welcomed responsibility that comes with it.

In addition to the twinkling blue lights, the festive icons and the white-and-silvery ornaments, another cherished tradition had been completed at the beginning of the joyful season. The Hudson’s much-anticipated Christmas cards, an exciting accountof the family’s adventures, had been creatively crafted by Rose and Karl. The lively narrative chronicles the milestones and quests of each family member, with Karl’s animated storytelling and Rose’s artistic touch bringing the tales to life.

Rose shares, “by mid-November we print two hundred post cards of the Hudson family chronicles. The entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, gathers around to sign each card. Envelopes are lovingly addressed, and the kids lend a hand in labeling.”

In a heartwarming shift of roles, the Hudson parents, Karl and Rose, prepare to pass the baton. The careful planning and distribution of the Christmas cards are soon to become the responsibility of the eager younger generation.

With laughter, love, and a touch of adventure, the Hudson family embraces the season, creating and sharing memories that they and their friends treasure for life.