Mushroom Adobo Filipino-style Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important ingredient in adobo? ›

The most basic ingredient of adobo is vinegar, which is usually coconut vinegar, rice vinegar, or cane vinegar (although sometimes white wine or cider vinegar can also be used). Almost every ingredient can be changed according to personal preference.

Most modern-day Filipino adobo is prepared with vinegar and soy sauce. Some families keep it simple with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Others add fresh ginger or coconut milk.

Chicken adobo and pork adobo are two popular variations of adobo, a traditional Filipino dish that is made by braising meat in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. The main difference between chicken and pork adobo is, of course, the type of meat used.

The colonization of Puerto Rico began in the early 1500s, bringing many of the same Spanish influences to the island. As is the case in Mexico, adobo in Puerto Rico most traditionally refers to a wet marinade consisting of garlic, some kind of acid (vinegar or citrus), oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

What Chicken Adobo tastes like. The glaze of Filipino Chicken Adobo is savoury and sweet with a hint of tang, with a distinct soy flavour. The garlic and onion creates a savoury base along with the bay leaves, and the peppercorns add little subtle pops of heat. Don't be afraid of the peppercorns in this!

I've since learned that the technique of searing and then softening in sauce extends to other vegetables: Mushrooms, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, squash, and even wilted greens like water spinach all welcome the process of adobo. Writer Ria Elciario makes green bean adobo, topped with crumbled tofu.

Many Filipino chicken adobo recipes will also tell you that using entirely white vinegar is fine. The first time I made chicken adobo, I used white vinegar and it was quite tasty, though I like this recipe better. Other recipes prefer apple cider vinegar, which is a bit less sharp and acidic than white vinegar.

You can stir it while it's simmering or boiling. But, as for my father's words, do not stir it after you add the vinegar because "it may ruin the taste of the adobo." Bay leaves are quite optional to put when I cook my adobo. Salt is optional, too, because all the salty taste will be coming from the soy sauce.

There's no doubt that adobo is a mainstay in Philippine cuisine — thanks to its complex flavours rooted from a simple vinegar-braised method, it's one of the most well-known gateway dishes that introduces foreigners to the curious and nuanced world of Filipino food.

What does adobo mean in Filipino? ›

Mexican adobo sauce is, well, a sauce on its own used to marinade and cook things with. Filipino adobo is more of a technique than any one specific dish, and when we say something is "adobo" in the Philippines, we mean anything braised in vinegar. That includes vegetables and things like squid!

In English, adobo means “vinegar-braised.” Evenly-cut chunks of meat are first seared in hot fat or oil until they brown. Braising liquids, such as vinegar and soy sauce, are then added, and the mixture is left to simmer over low heat.

The addition of soy sauce in the recipe came by way of Chinese traders. Similar to Filipino adobo, the Spanish version is a cooking process that involves preservation. However, except for the vinegar, the ingredients are vastly different. The Spanish adobar is red from paprika and spicy from chilies.

A suitable substitute for adobo seasoning is a blend of common spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can try using Cajun seasoning or mild curry powder to achieve a similar flavor profile.

In the Philippines, adobo is considered the unofficial national dish, taking many forms across the country, but the base ingredients for the stew are typically the same: vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, black pepper and bay leaves, along with some kind of marinated meat or vegetables.

The flavor of adobo improves over time, making it ideal for cooking in large amounts since leftovers on day two, three, four or even five taste better (cooking in vinegar acts as a natural preservative so there's no risk of spoilage).

Adobong Baboy and Adobong Hipon

In a country where pork is the king of all proteins, adobong baboy, or pork adobo, is the most popular, and the one that benefits most from the braising to turn the meat tender and help it soak up flavor. Especially when partnered with intensely garlicky fried rice.

There's no doubt that adobo is a mainstay in Philippine cuisine — thanks to its complex flavours rooted from a simple vinegar-braised method, it's one of the most well-known gateway dishes that introduces foreigners to the curious and nuanced world of Filipino food.

They did this as a means of preservation because the acidic nature of vinegar prevented the growth of bacteria in their foods, which was critical due to the high humidity in the Philippine islands. The original purpose of adobo was essentially born out of survival and longevity.