Filipino Chicken Adobo according to Tita Rosey

I live in Southern CA and Adobo has a different meaning to many here in the Hispanic community. Filipino adobo and Mexican adobo are very different preparations. Both are byproducts of Spanish influence but in very different ways.

When Spain colonized the Philippines in the late 16^th century and early 17^th century the use of vinegar in the marinading process was something they recognized. Marinading in vinegar and salt, later replaced by soy sauce, was a way to preserve meat in the days before refrigeration. The Spanish applied their term Adobar meaning marinade. The word adobo was used to describe any dish the natives marinated before it was cooked. The dish was prepared in the Philippines long before Spanish colonization but the term stuck.

The only real connection of Filippino adobo to Spanish and Latin American adobo is the use of vinegar and garlic. Colonialism rant ended. For a more detailed take on this, follow the link to an article by Mijon Zulu.

https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/191932/what-is-the-difference-between-mexican-and-filipino-adobo/

Adobo is considered by many to be the National Dish of the Philippines. It is a simple preparation of meat, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic but seemingly each family manages to use these ingredients in slightly different ways.

I was fortunate enough to learn the basic recipe from someone I worked with for about a decade. She was known as Tita Rosy and I miss her very much. R.I.P.

The way she taught me was among the simplest of recipes. Take a few pounds of chicken or pork. Cut it into pieces. Marinate with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Marinate for at least an hour and cook until tender. That was all of the instructions the first time I asked her. Further questions gave me the approximate proportions which were ¼ cup of both vinegar and soy sauce and lots of garlic.

The first time I tried it myself, I used too much vinegar and soy sauce because it just didn’t seem enough. I was left with lots of sauce since the meat gave up quite a bit of moisture while cooking. I cut back on the marinade, she was right of course. I find that 2 cloves of garlic are about right and I usually use the crushed from a jar for ease of use.

Over the years I have tried every kind of vinegar and soy sauce available and came to several conclusions. First, dark soy is too intense for this dish. Secondly, except for Balsamic vinegar, they all work but have their own taste and acid profiles. I encourage experimentation to find what suits you best. Today’s cook uses low sodium soy sauce and natural apple cider vinegar. I usually add a few bay leaves as well although Rosy did not use them.

Other variations include browning the meat either before or after cooking in the sauce. Sometimes chicken liver is involved, which is used to thicken the sauce. It is a very forgiving dish in terms of how you use the ingredients. It is common to remove the meat and reduce the sauce until it is thickened and as much fat as sauce. I have even tried a version that adds coconut milk but my Filipino friends say that it is no longer Adobo.

My kids grew up eating this dish. It is very family friendly even for young children. Give this dish try.

It was a few days before I had a chance to eat my adobo. I served it with Jasmine rice (not so white with the addition of soy sauce in the cooking water), a bit of refried beans, and the last of some hot and sour cabbage. I really do forage in my fridge and eat it until it’s gone.

I’m not going to call it ugly, but is is a bit of a monotone plate. I keep promising myself I’m going to work on that but if it all tastes good…