Adobo is not only one of the most recognizable Filipino dishes, it's probably one of the easiest to make as well. All you need is vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and some garlic and you can make magic in the kitchen.
Even if these ingredients usually allow for a foolproof meal, not all adobos are created equal. Like anything else, a little more time and effort is required if you want yours to be a notch higher than the rest.
Here are a few ideas on how to make your adobo dish stellar.
1. Rosemary Chicken Adobo
Add a different twist to the usual.
- Throw in a sprig of rosemary while your adobo is cooking.
- Leave your garlic cloves whole.
- After your adobo has stewed, pan fry until crispy.
- Add adobo sauce to your pan-fry and reduce until it’s nice and thick.
- Serve with mashed potatoes mixed with the now soft garlic cloves from your adobo.
- For a milder flavor, opt to use white wine vinegar instead of the usual.
2. Adobo Pasta
Take your rosemary adobo a notch higher by turning it into a pasta sauce.
- Shred your adobo and add to a cream-based sauce.
- Mix with spaghetti noodles and top with a soft cheese such as feta or goat’s cheese.
3. Maple Pork Adobo
If you like a bit of sweetness, a touch of maple will do wonders for your pork adobo.
- Use red wine vinegar instead of your usual “sukang puti.”
- Add ¼ cup maple syrup and a sprig of thyme to the mix.
- After simmering your adobo, pan-fry your pork with some sauce and serve.
4. Adobo Spring Rolls
Make your regular adobo and shred the meat.
Take a spoonful of the shredded meat to your lumpia wrapper and add the cheese of your choice.
Wrap and fry your adobo rolls.
Have a food question for Erica? Drop her a line at ericaparedes1@yahoo.com
Erica Paredes has been working in the publishing industry for almost a decade as a fashion and beauty editor, newspaper columnist, stylist and make-up artist. Nowadays she juggles her time between food and fashion, beauty and travel plus mommy duties to her 8 year old daughter.
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