Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Chicken Adobo Recipe + Giveaway by Mia P. Manansala @MPMtheWriter

Chicken adobo with white rice and steamed asparagus

Yesterday was my debut day, and with a title like ARSENIC AND ADOBO, you know I had to share an adobo recipe with you all today! (don't worry, this is an arsenic-free zone) I'm also giving away a physical copy, so please read to the end!

Adobo is often considered the Philippines’s national dish, and is more a style of cooking than specific food. The main ingredient and seasonings vary according to region (it’s an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, after all) and even according to family. In my book, I provide a recipe for Tita Rosie's (my protagonist's aunt) version of chicken adobo, which requires you to start it hours before since you need to marinate the meat. That recipe is excellent, but this is the one I use when I'm cooking on a weekday and just want to get dinner on the table.

Chicken Adobo
Serves 4

NOTE: The ingredients are highly adjustable. Want it saltier? Add more soy sauce. Tangier? More vinegar. The flavor too strong? Add more water. Not a garlic fiend, like I am? Reduce accordingly. Want to switch up the meats? Sub in a pound of pork belly for a pound of the chicken. Adobo is a personal experience.

Ingredients:

2-3 lb of skin-on, bone-in chicken legs, thighs, or drumsticks (avoid breast, which is too dry for this style of cooking)

¾ cup soy sauce (Datu Puti brand preferred)

1 cup vinegar*

1/2 - 1 cup water

1 TSBP sugar (white or brown)

10 cloves of garlic, minced or crushed

1 tsp black peppercorns

2 bay leaves

Instructions:

Heat a pan on high and add a splash of oil. Brown the chicken on all sides, in batches, until the skin is crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.

In the same pan, fry the garlic and sugar until lightly browned and fragrant, then add the soy sauce, vinegar, water, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

Boil the sauce for about 10 minutes till slightly reduced, then return the chicken to the pot and reduce the heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Some people like it a little drier, others saucier, so boil until you have the desired amount. Serve with white rice.

*Filipino cane vinegar is preferred (Datu Puti is the most common brand), but apple cider vinegar is an OK substitute. White distilled vinegar is a bit harsh, so you might need an extra bit of sugar or water to balance it.

Cast of Characters

Brown the chicken on all sides then remove to a plate




Saute garlic and sugar until lightly browned and fragrant

Add soy sauce, vinegar, water, bay leaf, and peppercorns and bring to a boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes.

Return chicken to the pot, stir to coat with sauce and simmer until chicken is done and sauce has reduce to the level you want.

Dear Readers, do you prefer picking up the first book in a brand new series or waiting until a few books are out before giving it a try? Let me know in the comments to be entered in a giveaway for a FREE physical copy of ARSENIC AND ADOBO! U.S. only.

 
One of BuzzFeed’s Highly Anticipated Mystery Novels of 2021!
 
The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer….
 
When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.
 
With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

49 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your debut, Mia! It sounds amazing and we all can't wait to read it--preferably while eating chicken adobo. xox

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    1. Thanks, Lucy! Hope you give the recipe a try 😊

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  2. If I see a book that is 1st in a series I'll start there and then wait anxiously for the next in the series. If I happen to pick up a book in a series, I'll go back and get the rest to read in order.

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  3. It depends at times. If it’s an author I know and like I’ll start their new series. But if it’s a new author I’ll wait a few book.

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    1. I usually do the same. Thanks for stopping by,Christine!

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  4. Thank you for the recipe. Sounds yummy and definitely going to try it.

    Love getting in on a series on the ground floor. But also love a series that you can jump in anywhere in case you missed it at the first or if its a new to you author. Then you can go back and play catch up.

    Great cover and I can't wait for the opportunity to read "ARSENIC AND ADOBO" which is on my TBR list. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks so much, Kaye! Hope the dish turns out well for you.

      And I'm rather similar! Usually I prefer to start a series at the beginning, but once in a while I'll check out the newest book to see if I want to invest time in the whole thing.

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  5. Congratulations on your book. Thank you for the recipe. Oh but this sounds like a wonderful recipe. Your books sounds great.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  6. As a reviewer, I like to give new authors a shot; I prefer to read series in order and starting at the beginning is a good way to do that. AND we were dithering about what to do with the 2 chicken leg quarters the SU took out of the freezer this morning - now we know what's for supper tonight! pjcoldren[at]tm[dot]net

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Hope the recipe turns out well for you 😊

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  7. I love to read the first book in a series when it first comes out! That way, I can anxiously await the second book release and share the joy with the author on her book birthdays!

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    1. Aww that's sweet! Thanks for stopping by, Wendy.

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  8. I read the first book. And then if I like it, wait impatiently for the next.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Congrats on your book release! I don't tend to worry on whether the book is a first and a new to me author. However, I tend to prefer reading an excerpt or two in making my decision to purchase it in the first place.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks so much! And yes, that makes sense. Sometimes I'll skim the first chapter to see if I like the writing before making a purchase.

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  10. If I can, I like to start with the first books in a series, at least for the first few.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  11. I don't mind waiting for a couple of books but if I do pick up the first one no problems waiting for the next to release.
    1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Love a new book series. I always pick up a new series that looks good to me. I don't mind waiting for the next release in the series. Sometimes its hard to wait!!

    Thanks for the chance!!!

    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I used to wait, but now there are so many good books coming out that it's hard for me to wait! Thanks for stopping by

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  13. I will read it right away. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  14. I like starting a new series when it's first released. The hard part is waiting for the next book in the series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Waiting is always the hard part. Thanks for stopping by, Dianne!

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  15. If the first book appeals to me I'll jump right in and read it. And then wait impatiently for the next one. And the next one.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  16. I'm with Pat D. here: get the first one and if I like it, wait impatiently for the next.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  17. I enjoy reading the first in a new series when it is released. Thanks for the recipe - sounds delicious!

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  18. Congrats, Mia! Honestly, I read whatever book catches my fancy, no matter which order I begin with. Your recipe sounds delish, btw.
    lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Lynn! I've become a big mood reader lately, so I understand.

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  19. So Excited to see more and more books with Filipino/Filipino Culture Rep! Makes my heart swarm with joy. Especially since I've only heard positive reviews for this one so far!

    I would pick up the first book to see if I'd enjoy it, rather than waiting for a few years for it to be completed but be disappointed with the first book.

    reianmarei @ yahoo . com

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  20. I generally pick up the first book in a series.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  21. I usually start from the beginning of a series but I have read many series out of order! Congrats on your release, would love to get a copy! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  22. I try to start with the first book in a series. Sometimes I get books at a book sale or a free book. If I like that one, I will try to start from the beginning. I did that with a free Carol J. Perry book. I'm up to date waiting for her new one. Your series sounds interesting. Stay safe and well.

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  23. I love picking up the first in a new series! And thanks for the recipe!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. Always read the first book in the series. Thanks for the chance!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Authors make it easy to jump in out of order and I usually do! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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