Name: Chicken and pork adobo: an authentic Filipino recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 500g pork belly; 500g chicken; 1 clove garlic; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp vinegar; 1 tsp cracked peppercorns; 4 bay leaves

Adobo is the most popular comfort food in the Philippines and a staple in every Filipino household. It was my favorite to eat as a child, and brings back good memories of my late mom. Every mother in the Philippines has their own version of this savoury dish and mine was no exception.

I remember taking adobo with us whenever we went to the beach or out of town, as it doesn't spoil easily, even out of the fridge. This is just one of reasons why adobo is so popular amongst all Filipino households.

Adobo can be eaten at any time of the day and is usually served with rice. You can find it in almost all Filipino restaurants in the country and across the globe. However, if you want to experience what the Philippines tastes like from the comfort of your own home, try this very simple recipe.

Directions

Put the pork and chicken meat in a pot. Add the garlic, peppercorns, brown sugar, vinegar and soy sauce.

Using your hands (or a spatula if you prefer), gently massage the meat, working in the spices. This helps infuse the meat with the flavour. Do this until you feel like all the meats are soaked and marinated.

Add the bay leaves and top up with just enough water to cover the meat.

Bring to the boil, then educe the heat to low. Allow to simmer for 25 minutes.

Serve on a bed of rice.