Adobo Sauce Recipes

EASY ADOBO SAUCE

Steps:

• Wipe off any dusty crevasses on the chilis using a damp towel. De-stem and de-seed the chilis, but don't worry about getting rid of every last seed.
• I put the chilis in a 400F oven for 1-2 minutes to awaken some dormant flavors; you could also flash them on a hot, dry skillet for 15-30 seconds in place of the oven.
• Add the chilis to a bowl and cover them with hot tap water. Let them reconstitute for 20-30 minutes. If they float to the surface you can use a small plate or bowl to keep them submerged.
• Drain the chilis and add them to a blender, along with the remaining ingredients listed above. Update: I've been adding 2-3 chipotles in adobo lately for some heat, but you can consider this optional.
• Combine well; ideally you want a thick, paste-like substance so we are adding just enough liquid to get there. If it won't combine you can add another splash of water.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge. It should also freeze quite well.

ADOBO SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the guajillo and ancho peppers and remove the seeds. You may need to cut into the peppers for this, which is fine.
• Heat a large pan to medium-high heat and dry toast the dried peppers a couple minutes per side. They will become more pliable and slightly puff up. This helps to release the oils for more flavor.
• Place the dried pods in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Soak them for 15 minutes, or until they become very soft and rehydrate. Transfer the softened peppers to a food processor, but reserve the soaking liquid.
• While the peppers are softening, heat olive oil in a medium pan and add the onion. Cook it down for 4-5 minutes to soften.
• Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until you it becomes fragrant.
• Add the tomato paste, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, sugar and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Stir in 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the mixture to the food processor along with the softened peppers and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fresh water, or you can use the dark liquid from soaking the peppers. Process until smooth.
• Adjust with salt and sugar to taste, and with a bit more water until you achieve your desired consistency. Strain if you'd like a thinner sauce, or use as-is.

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 ROASTED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a medium rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment.
• Prepare the adobo seasoning: In a small bowl, combine 1½ teaspoons salt with the garlic powder, oregano, turmeric and pepper, and mix well with a fork.
• Put potatoes in a large bowl and randomly poke a few small holes in each with a fork. Pour in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and toss potatoes well, then sprinkle with the adobo seasoning, and stir to combine. Pour in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss a bit more to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated with spices.
• Transfer potatoes to the lined baking sheet in an even layer, being careful not to crowd the pan.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes or so. Potatoes are done when they pierce easily with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife. Taste and add more salt, if desired.

FAMOUS CHICKEN ADOBO

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, then remove. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until they soften and brown, about 6 minutes.
• Pour in vinegar and soy sauce, and season with garlic powder, black pepper, and bay leaf. Add the browned chicken, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, 35 to 40 minutes.

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.

MUSHROOM ADOBO

Steps:

• Cook brown sugar, undisturbed, in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted and a shade darker, about 2 minutes (don't walk away, it can burn quickly). Pour in vinegar, tamari, and ½ cup water, stirring and scraping up solidified sugar on bottom of pan with a wood spoon, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, add garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt, and simmer 15 minutes to infuse.
• Strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard solids. Return sauce to pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, stir together cornstarch and 2 Tbsp. cold water in a small bowl until smooth and lump-free.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry into sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, whisking often, until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.
• Mix mushroom bouillon powder, pepper, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl to combine. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Working in 2 batches and adding another 1 Tbsp. oil between batches if needed, cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 4 minutes; transfer mushrooms to a plate as you go. Return all cooked mushrooms to skillet, sprinkle with mushroom bouillon powder mixture, and cook, tossing to incorporate, 30 seconds.
• Add adobo sauce to pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to bottom of pan. Bring to a simmer (still over medium heat) and cook 2 minutes to bring flavors together. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
• Divide rice among bowls and top with mushroom adobo. Top each with a handful of watercress (if using). Do ahead: Mushroom adobo can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.