Adobo Wet Rub Recipes

PORK BELLY ADOBO

Steps:

• Combine the soy sauce, garlic, sugar and peppercorns in a large bowl. Add the pork and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight, covered (can be marinated in a resealable 1-gallon freezer bag). Mix twice at regular intervals to marinate thoroughly.
• Drain the pork in a colander over a bowl; reserve the marinade and garlic. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the pork in batches, making sure not to crowd the meat and turning often until all sides are brown, 6 to 8 minutes per batch (the peppercorns may adhere to the pork, which is fine). Watch closely: The sugar in the marinade will cause the pork to darken quickly if the pot is too hot-lower the heat if necessary to avoid burning. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon; set aside.
• Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the oil from the Dutch oven. Add the garlic from the marinade and the onions, and cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add back the pork, the strained marinade, 1 cup water and the bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium, cover and cook at a medium boil, stirring periodically, until the pork is tender but not falling apart, about 1 hour 25 minutes.
• Add the vinegar, but do not stir. Cook, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced to the consistency of a loose marinara, about 20 minutes more. Remove from the heat, and skim and discard fat (pork belly will render a good amount). Allow the pork and sauce to sit 15 minutes before serving; the sauce will continue to thicken. Serve over jasmine rice.

ADOBO-RUBBED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes longer. Add the chiles and cook until darkened on both sides, about 1 minute. Add the broth and bring to boil. Continue boiling until the chiles are soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to blender and puree. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a grill or large grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, rub the adobo mixture all over the chicken, using about half of the adobo. Sear the chicken, breast-side down, until grill marks appear, about 6 minutes. Brush some adobo sauce on the other side of the chicken. Turn the chicken breast-side up, place in a baking pan and transfer to the oven. Cook the chicken, basting with the extra adobo sauce every 20 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers an inner temperature of 165 degrees F, about 40 minutes. Serve with corn tortillas to prepare tacos and lime wedges.

ADOBO WET RUB

Steps:

• 1. Combine juice from a single lime with the EVOO in a bowl and mix.
• 2. Combine the rest of the dry ingredients separately and mix.
• 3. Combine dry ingredients with the wet and mix well.
• 4. Spread onto chicken, lamb, etc. for a delicious and easy Adobo style meat!

AFRICAN ADOBO-RUBBED TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• For the salsa:
• In a medium bowl, combine the diced avocados, scallions, peppers, and garlic. In another bowl, whisk together the orange and lime juices, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Pour over the avocado mixture and gently toss. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the cucumbers: Mix the sugar and vinegar in a bowl, stirring well. Add the cucumbers and allow to marinate for about 15 minutes.
• To serve, arrange the cucumber in neat slices across each plate. Slice the tuna and lay it over the cucumbers. Spoon the avocado salsa on top of or around the tuna. Spoon a little of the pickling juices around the cucumbers, and serve. (Sometimes I add a little grated orange zest for garnish as well.)
• For the adobo:
• Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
• Rub each of the tuna steaks with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil and sprinkle generously with the adobo. (Reserve any extra adobo spice rub for another use.) In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until it begins to smoke. Sear the tuna on each side for only 1 minute - the tuna is served rare. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Recommended wine: A cold-pressed sake would be an unexpected but welcome accompaniment.

WET RUB FOR POULTRY

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and spread over the surface of the food to be cooked.

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.