Sweet & Savory Pork and Chicken Adobo
This modified version of the traditional Filipino adobo brings together the best of flavors, achieving a perfect balance of salty and sweet through the addition of sugar. Using carefully sourced ingredients like Philippine white vinegar and high-quality soy sauce, this recipe ensures an authentic taste experience. Ideal for family meals or gatherings, you can also experiment by incorporating chicken hearts and gizzards for added variety. Serve it alongside steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce for a comforting and satisfying dish.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean pork
1 lb (cut into 2-inch cubes)
chicken
1 lb (cut into 2-inch cubes)
white vinegar
1/2 cup (preferably Philippine white vinegar)
soy sauce
1/4 cup (preferably Silver Swan or equivalent)
garlic cloves
8 (minced)
canola oil
6 tablespoons (divided for cooking)
sugar
1 tablespoon (for balancing flavors)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
bay leaves
2 large (added during cooking)
Instructions
1
Start by cutting the lean pork and chicken into 2-inch cubes. In a mixing bowl, season the meat with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Add 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of canola oil to the bowl.
2
Pour in the white vinegar and soy sauce, and mix by hand until the meat is well-coated. Allow the mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor enhancement.
3
In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Carefully add the marinated pork and chicken (along with the marinade) to the pan. Throw in the bay leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the meat is tender, approximately 28 minutes.
4
Adjust the taste of the dish with the remaining salt and sugar, ensuring that the final flavor is slightly sweeter than salty. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes.
5
In a separate pan, heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil and fry the remaining minced garlic until golden brown and aromatic, making sure not to scorch it.
6
Using a perforated ladle, transfer the cooked meat (without the liquid) into the garlic-infused oil and fry for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, allowing some pieces to achieve a golden red color, giving them a 'pan-fried' appearance.
7
Finally, add about 3/4 of the remaining cooking liquid to the pan, cooking and stirring for another minute until the oil and liquid have separated. Remove from heat and allow it to stand briefly before serving.
8
Serve warm over steamed rice, ensuring that the flavorful sauce is layered generously on each serving. The remainder of the cooked liquid can be used as a supplementary sauce.
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
4.5g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet & Savory Pork and Chicken Adobo?
It is a modified Filipino dish that balances salty and sweet flavors using sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar.
What types of meat are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of lean pork and one pound of chicken.
How should the meat be prepared?
Both the pork and chicken should be cut into 2-inch cubes.
What specific vinegar is recommended?
Philippine white vinegar is preferred for an authentic taste experience.
Which soy sauce brand is suggested?
The recipe suggests using Silver Swan or an equivalent high-quality soy sauce.
How long should the meat marinate?
The meat should marinate for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor enhancement.
What ingredients are included in the marinade?
The marinade consists of salt, sugar, black pepper, minced garlic, canola oil, white vinegar, and soy sauce.
How long do you cook the meat in the saucepan?
The marinated meat should cook for approximately 28 minutes until the liquid reduces and meat is tender.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
This recipe contains approximately 300 calories per serving.
How much protein does this adobo provide?
The dish contains 30 grams of protein.
Is this recipe high in carbohydrates?
No, it is relatively low in carbohydrates with only 4.5 grams per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 17 grams of fat per serving.
Can I add other meat parts to this recipe?
Yes, you can experiment by incorporating chicken hearts and gizzards for added variety.
How many garlic cloves are needed in total?
The recipe requires 8 minced garlic cloves.
Why is sugar added to this adobo version?
Sugar is added to achieve a perfect balance between salty and sweet flavors.
How do I achieve the 'pan-fried' appearance?
By frying the cooked meat in garlic-infused oil for 1 to 2 minutes until some pieces turn golden red.
What is the recommended side dish?
It is best served alongside steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
When should the bay leaves be added?
Add the bay leaves to the saucepan while the marinated pork and chicken are cooking.
What type of oil is used for cooking?
The recipe uses canola oil, divided for different stages of cooking.
How many bay leaves are used?
Two large bay leaves are required for this recipe.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 10 ingredients used in this recipe.
How do I adjust the final flavor profile?
Adjust the taste with remaining salt and sugar to ensure it is slightly sweeter than salty.
How long should the meat rest after the first cook?
The meat should rest for 2 minutes after being removed from the heat before the frying step.
What should I do with the remaining cooking liquid?
Add about 3/4 of it back to the pan during the final fry, and use the rest as supplementary sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for gatherings?
Yes, it is described as ideal for family meals or gatherings.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include filipino cuisine, adobo, pork, chicken, sweet and savory, and comfort food.
How do I prepare the garlic topping?
Fry minced garlic in 3 tablespoons of canola oil until golden brown and aromatic.
What tool is used to transfer the meat?
A perforated ladle is used to transfer the meat without the liquid into the frying pan.
How long is the final frying step?
The final fry with the garlic and liquid takes about 1 to 2 minutes plus one additional minute after adding liquid.
What is the overall flavor profile of this dish?
The dish is designed to be a comforting balance of savory, salty, and sweet.