Hello, dear friends!
As the final hours of 2025 tick away, I wanted to share a little slice of joy from my kitchen—a special dinner I prepared to say goodbye to the old year and warmly welcome 2026! 🥂
🐖 Lechón-Style Roast Pork
For the main dish, I made a tender, aromatic pork roast inspired by lechón—but with my own twist! I marinated it generously with:
Lemongrass (for that bright, citrusy freshness!)
Spring onions
Shallots
Smoked paprika
Lots of minced garlic
Extra virgin olive oil
And of course… a good pinch of sea salt
I was so happy with how it turned out! This was actually my first time using my new electric oven, and it worked beautifully—crispy on the outside, juicy within. A true celebration centerpiece!
📸 Photo 1
📸 Photo 2
🥟 Filipino-Style Empanadas
No festive table is complete without handheld delights! I whipped up a batch of Filipino-style empanadas, stuffed with a savory-sweet filling of:
Mung beans (mongo)
Sautéed mushrooms and cabbage
Local chorizo
A touch of hard-boiled egg for richness
The golden, flaky crusts came out perfect—crispy, buttery, and oh-so-satisfying! These brought back so many childhood memories of family gatherings.
📸 Empanada 1
📸 Empanada 2
📸 Empanada 3
📸 Empanada 4
Cooking this meal was more than just preparing food—it was a way to reflect on the year gone by, honor tradition, and set joyful intentions for the year ahead.
To all of you reading this—thank you for being part of my journey!
May 2026 bring you warmth, abundance, good health, and many delicious moments around the table with the people you love.
✨ HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026! ✨
— Joyce