Adobo Marinade Recipes

SMOKED ADOBO MARINATED BRISKET TORTAS WITH HORSERADISH CREMA AND CARAMELIZED ONION-TOMATO RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the garlic, grilled tomatoes, orange zest and juice, cilantro, oil, vinegar, chile powders, chipotle puree and sugar in a food processor and process until smooth. Place the brisket in a large disposable pan, add the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Remove the brisket from the marinade 1 hour before putting on the smoker.
• Prepare the ceramic cooker: Remove the grill grate and ceramic plate from the cooker. Add the hot hardwood charcoal and scatter the soaked wood chips over the top. Adjust the cooker to maintain a temperature of 225 to 250 degrees F. This temperature should be maintained throughout the entire smoke. Put on the ceramic plate. Put a pan with some of the apple juice on the plate, and then put on the grill grate.
• Sprinkle the brisket on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the brisket, fat-side up, on your smoker grate and close it up for the long smoke.
• Open your barbecue smoker every hour or two and spray the brisket liberally with apple juice to help keep the meat from drying out.
• Once the internal temperature reaches 165 to 170 degrees F on a meat thermometer, after about 7 hours at the lower temperature range, the meat starts to get tender. At this point, wrap the brisket in foil this little trick is a big help in getting the meat tender, especially for beginners. Continue to cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 190 degrees F, 1 to 2 more hours.
• Remove and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Remove the foil from the brisket over a large pan or disposable pan and reserve the liquid. Slice or shred the brisket. Toss in the reserved liquid.
• To make the sandwiches: Split the rolls in half, oil the cut sides lightly, season with salt and pepper and grill, cut-side down, until lightly toasted. Spread some Horseradish Crema on the bun tops and bottoms. Top the bottoms with some of the meat, then some Caramelized Onion-Tomato Relish, then some lettuce. Top with the bun top and serve.
• Whisk together the crema, queso fresco and horseradish in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and slowly cook until caramelized, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and cook until they just begin to break down. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and a pinch of sugar and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the onions to a bowl and add the cilantro. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

ADOBO SIRLOIN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin. Stir in chipotle peppers, and season to taste with adobo sauce.
• Pierce the meat on both sides with a sharp knife, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in a glass dish. Pour lime and chipotle sauce over meat, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• Lightly brush grill grate with oil. Place steaks on the grill, and discard marinade. Grill steaks for 6 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

FILIPINO CHICKEN ADOBO

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine the first 6 ingredients. Add chicken; refrigerate, covered, 20-30 minutes. Drain, reserving marinade. Pat chicken dry., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown chicken. Stir in water and reserved marinade. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until chicken is no longer pink and sauce is slightly reduced, 20-25 minutes. Discard bay leaf. If desired, serve chicken with cooking sauce.

CARNE ADOBADA: GRILLED ADOBO-MARINATED SKIRT STEAK

Steps:

• Make the adobo:
• Heat a comal, griddle, or heavy skillet over medium-low heat, and toast the chiles 2 or 3 at a time, turning them over and pressing down on them with tongs frequently, until the chiles are fragrant, about 1 minute per batch. Soak the chiles in enough cold water to cover until they're soft, about 30 minutes. Drain and discard the soaking water.
• Put the vinegar and beer in the blender jar with the chiles and the remaining adobo ingredients. Blend until smooth, at least 3 minutes, adding a little water if necessary to puree. If you like a silky, smooth texture, strain the adobo through a medium-mesh sieve. Set aside 1/2 cup of the adobo to marinate the steak, and keep the rest in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to one month.
• Make the steak:
• Pat the steaks dry, season them with the salt, then coat them generously with adobo. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill or grill pan and cook the steaks, 3 to 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, depending on their thickness. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing for tacos or serving as whole steaks.

FILIPINO CHICKEN ADOBO

Steps:

• Combine the chicken thighs, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves in a large pot. Cover and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours.
• Bring the chicken to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened and the chicken is tender, about 20 more minutes. Serve with steamed rice.

ADOBO MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and use on meats, chicken, tempeh, or fish.

CARNE ADOBADA (CHILE-MARINATED STEAK)

Steps:

• Place the dried guajillo chiles in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover; soak until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain, stem and seed the chiles. Using a blender or a food processor, puree the guajillos, chipotle, onion, garlic, cumin, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. If needed, add another tablespoon of water to help the mixture blend.
• Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, then sprinkle and pat on the dried oregano to both sides as well. Place in a large bowl, dish or resealable plastic bag, pour the chile marinade over the top and turn to coat both sides. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate, covered if needed, for up to 12 hours.
• In a small bowl, combine the roasted red peppers and shallots with the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season to taste with salt, add the cilantro and stir to combine. Set aside.
• In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Scrape any excess marinade off the steak and discard the marinade. Place the steak in the hot oil and cook until seared and deep golden brown on the contact side, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until seared and golden brown on the other side, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Cook for 1 additional minute on each side for thicker or larger cuts of steak or for medium doneness. You also can grill the steak on a hot charcoal or gas grill, turning once, until seared, about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak against the grain. Serve topped with the roasted pepper-shallot relish, alongside steamed rice or warm tortillas.

ADOBO (CUBAN GARLIC MARINADE)

Steps:

• Place garlic, kosher salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper, lime juice, and orange juice in a blender.
• Blend to a smooth puree.
• Abodo tastes best used within a few hours of making.