Most Filipinos know the process of making Pork Adobo because it is effortless to remember and follow. Just add vinegar, soy sauce, and pepper, then heat it, and that's it!.
Have you heard about Pork Adobo with Potatoes? If not, you better try it! It's different from the one we usually have!
What Is Pork Adobo With Potatoes
Adobo is usually a dish with a salty-sour and watery sauce, so having potatoes as an add-on is an attractive option. They balance the taste and add texture to the sauce, making the flavor stay longer on your palate.
Also, potatoes are already carbs and contain calories, and Filipinos love rice, but rice is also carbs and has more calories. One cup of rice is equivalent to 4 small boiled potatoes in terms of calorie count.
Whoever started this dish might have been on a diet or might have avoided rice when he invented this as it might make you eat fewer cups of rice. It gives you the carbs sensation you need when eating, and it makes you feel fuller faster.
If you want to eat Adobo with a twist that will surely satisfy your hunger, try making Pig's meat Adobo with potatoes. Tell your friends and family, especially those on a no rice diet, to try this dish. They will surely appreciate it!
Ways To Cook
This dish is easy to make, and the equipment you can use is a wide range as well. As your kitchen buddy, we will give you ideas about how to make dishes like this.
Slow Cooker Adobo
Dishes like this are better served when it is hot. Also, when the fat melts in the mouth and the meat shreds whenever the fork touches it. You can achieve this heavenly experience quickly by preparing it using a slow cooker.
All you have to do is combine all the ingredients in the cooker and then set the timer and let it do its magic. We can give you a friendly tip to select the equipment high for the first hour then low in the remaining hours. This is to ensure that the meat will be tender and juicy.
Crock Pot Adobo
A crockpot is a type of slow cooking equipment. Although the term is usually used interchangeably with a slow cooker, a crockpot is an upgraded version of the slow cooker. However, both have the same purpose in simmering- to tenderize the meat while cooking/
Isn't it amazing to have your Adobo falling off from its bones or just shreds itself at the touch of a fork? To achieve this level of tenderness, you may need the help of a crockpot. All you have to do is put in all the ingredients, then set the crockpot. You don't have to worry about getting your meat underdone because this equipment's heat comes from all angles inside.
Aside from that, you can also use instant pot in making dishes like this. Preparing dishes like this using an instant pot is just the same.
Pressure Cooker
Of course, if you want to tenderize meat quickly, you will need a pressure cooker to do that. Just the same with other slow cooking equipment, all you have to do is put all the ingredients inside the pot, then close it and simmer in medium heat.
Just a friendly reminder, never force open a pressure cooker because it is hazardous. We want to make sure that you will have a pleasant experience in the kitchen. If you want to open your pressure cooker, here are some tips for doing so:
- Let it open on its own.
- Put it under a running cold tap to help it release its grip
- Remove the pressure valve and let it heat on high.
In opening the pressure cooker, always make sure that you use kitchen gloves to avoid any steam burns.
Variations
The flexibility of this dish is endless. You can transform it into a pie, spread, side dish, or main course. Whoever you may like, we guarantee that the following variations will appeal to your liking.
Pork Adobo with Pineapple
Dishes like this need the aid of something acidic to balance out the flavor. In the absence of vinegar, you can use pineapples and their juice as an alternative. Aside from that, pineapple juice is quite sweeter than vinegar. Also, the pineapple chunks will give you something refreshing to bite on aside from the meat.
To encourage you to make this variant, we will highlight the benefits of eating pineapple.
- Pineapple is rich in Vitamin C, manganese, Vitamin A, phosphorus, and more.
- It is also rich in antioxidants, which help prevent chronic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
- The enzymes present in pineapple helps aid digestion. Bromelain helps break down protein in food and aid digestion, especially for those with pancreatic insufficiency.
- Bromelain also helps reduce the chances of getting cancer from food.
- It also helps boost the immune system.
In that sense, encourage your kids to eat this kind of variant for a healthier body.
Pork Adobo Flakes
Now this one is a beautiful variant for you to try. This is perfect as a spread for bread and a garnish to fried rice. All you have to do is shred the meat and dry up the sauce. Don't be afraid to remove that sauce because of adobo sips in the flavor from its sauce. We can guarantee that it still has that rich, excellent flavor.
On the other hand, if you don't want to remove the sauce, you can just let it dry while simmering.
Pork Adobo Meatballs
To make this variant, replace the meat with ground meat shaped into meatballs. Fry the meatballs first, then set them aside. Simmer the sauce separately, then add up the meatballs to the sauce when serving.
Pork Adobo with String beans
To have a fresher and healthier approach to dishes like this, you can add string beans. It is fantastic to know that string beans compliments the taste. If you are wondering how to incorporate it into the dish, all you have to do is saute it together with garlic and onion. Once you see that it is slightly done, you can mix in the mean then start doing up the sauce.
Troubleshooting
In preparing, there will always be a slight hiccup along the way. Good thing you are browsing this article because we are going to help you overcome those struggles.
Too salty
If your sauce becomes too salty, add a little bit of water and sugar. You can also add pineapple juice instead for a better flavor.
The sauce looks pale in color
If this happens, add a little bit of oyster sauce and soy sauce. Adjust the flavor with pineapple juice and sugar to balance out the flavor.
The sauce is too runny
This happens when you add too much water. Just add some potatoes and sugar to thicken out the sauce.
The sauce is to thick
You can add a little bit of pineapple juice, water, or stock to break down the sauce's thickness. Adjust the flavor of the sauce if necessary.
Trivia
Did you know that in the Latin Region, Adobo is a type of seasoning? It dates back when the refrigerator is not yet invented. Back in the days, before they simmer, they marinaded their meat with soy sauce and vinegar first. They also add olives, spices, or wine to add up some flavors. Hence, that is where "Adobo" got its name. From the Spanish word "adobar," which means to marinade.
If, by chance, you wonder how this dish landed in the Philippines, this is because way back before, Pinoys are already using this marinade in their cuisine. When the Spaniards arrived, that is where they realized what they are doing is Adobo.
Tips
As your kitchen buddy, we want to make sure that you will prepare beautiful dishes. We want to give you some tips for a peaceful and safe kitchen experience.
- Make sure that you are working with fresh ingredients. This is because the quality of the elements affects the flavor of the overall dish. Also, it will ensure that there will be no bacteria build up happening in the ingredients.
- Always check the expiration date of the ingredients. This is like checking if your ingredients are still fresh. Make this a habit not with just making this menu but with every dish you will make. We assure you, checking the expiration date is an excellent kitchen habit. Others say that you can still intake food beyond their expiration date, but please do not follow this. It is better to be safe by following the expiration date.
- Always simmer low and slow. There will be no problem when simmering over low heat. This will help the ingredients excrete their natural flavor more.
- Cook the garlic well. Please do not burn the garlic, or else it will affect the overall flavor of the dish. The garlic improves the taste of the dish.
- Sometimes it is better to use soy sauce and oyster sauce for dishes like this because it will result in a thicker and creamier sauce.
Best Served With
Every dish is always fun to eat with a partner to highlight its flavor. Adobo is just the same. Here, we will list down some of the suitable dishes to pair up with recipes like this. Some say that it is going to be fun pairing with other recipes.
Pineapple Juice - After a hearty meal, you deserve something to drink to refresh your taste buds. Pineapple juice is a perfect finish for recipes like this. Others says that it is better to prepare pineapple juice yourself rather than buying a canned one.
Shanghai Fried Rice - Dishes like this deserve an excellent partner, and that is shanghai fried rice. This will guarantee a heavy meal, but all those calories are worth it.
Custard Cake - You deserve something sweet as a finish, and custard cake is perfect for that. This dish is a beautiful palate cleanser after a savory dish.
Conclusion
The world goes wild as they hear recipes like this. Hearsays is claimed as the national food of the Philippines, and it also reaches out globally. Others are amazed at how this dish bombs their taste buds. Check out this Filipino menu and make your version of recipes like this.
Visit Eat Like Pinoy for more delicious Filipino Recipe!
Recipe
Superb Pork Adobo with Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork belly cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 pcs Potatoes regular size, cut into small squares
- 1 pc Onion peeled and sliced thinly, optional
- 1 head Garlic peeled and minced
- 2 pcs Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 cup Vinegar
- ½ cup Soy sauce
- 2 cups Water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and pepper. Mix well and marinate the pork belly for at least 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, add the remaining ingredients into the bowl with marinated pork except for oil and potatoes.
- Now heat the pan and pour the pork belly mixture into the pan, cover and bring to boil. Lower the heat when the mixture is boiling already.
- Simmer for 40 minutes or until the pork is tender. Then add potatoes and simmer again for another 5-10 minutes. You can add more water if the pork belly is not yet tender after an hour.Tip: Occasionally check potatoes to avoid overcooking.
- Set aside the pork and potatoes, and medium fry first the potatoes in a separate pan and set aside. Next, cook the pork in the same pan.
- Once the pork is cooked already, pour the sauce into the pan and add the medium fried potatoes and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Serve while hot! Share and Enjoy!
This pic looks close to the adobo my Mom usually cooks! I looove adobo but I dont know how to cook. Been missing home lately due to the ECQ. So Im trying to lessen longingness by trying to cook this. Wish me luck on my first try!
I don't know but in our household (Iloilo), our adobos can be dark orange in color or in dark brown. We also add potatoes and even quail/chicken eggs to the adobo, not to mention a mountain of rice in each of our plates! 😄
Thank you for this!