Filipino Adobo - A Family Recipe

1. 1

   Put the chicken and pork in a medium-sized pot with a lid. Add the garlic, peppercorns, and soy sauce and vinegar, which should make enough liquid just to cover some of the meat (some pieces will still be above the liquid and that's ok). There should be twice as much vinegar to the soy sauce. If you're not using soy sauce, salt the meat well and add enough vinegar just to cover. You can also dilute the vinegar just a bit with about 1/4 cup of water. Give the meat mixture a quick but thorough stir.

2. 2

   Add about 5 bay leaves and then in medium-high heat, bring the adobo to a boil. Turn heat down to low and then cover. Simmer gently until meat is tender (at least an hour, up to three), and the soy-vinegar mixture has somewhat reduced.

3. 3

   Turn the heat off and let the adobo rest, covered, at room temperature, until no longer piping hot. You can actually serve the adobo at this point or do as we do and move on to the next step.

4. 4

   Carefully transfer the chicken and pork (which should be really tender) to a non-stick frying pan this time, but one that's big enough to hold all of the meat in one layer. Pour in a bit of the oil from the first pot and gently fry the adobo over medium heat. The point is to cook the chicken and pork further down to a crisp, turning the pieces once to brown on both sides.

5. 5

   Once all the meat is done to your liking you can choose to pour the rest of the adobo sauce into the frying pan to heat. Serve with hot rice and enjoy. Or if you are making ahead, cool the adobo before keeping in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove before serving the next day.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.