Chicken Adobo (Filipino stewed soy sauce chicken)

I have yet to come across a person who doesn't like Chicken Adobo, the national dish of the Philippines.  Soy Sauce and Vinegar?  That's it?  Yes, this dish is comprised of just that, but you'll be surprised at how its taste turns out to be a thousand times better than its description.

Need I say more?  The funny thing about Filipinos and Adobo is that all of them will swear on their own lives that their Adobo is the best.  Am I one of them?  Luckily no hahaha... all the energy used that would have otherwise been used on Adobo Smack Talking is concentrated on my cooking.  All I know is that I love the way my Adobo tastes and so does my Husband.  Check and Check.  Hope you give it a try!

Back in the day in the Philippines, refrigerators were non existent.  Having foods that are susceptible to early spoilage were out of the question so Filipinos naturally made foods that were self preserving (with lots of fats and sugars).  Check out all of our recipes. I dare you to try and find a dish that spoils fast. 

You may be a little hesitant towards Adobo being categorized in the self preserving "fatty" category but don't get me wrong. It's not as bad as I make it out to be.  Me being somewhat health conscious, turned down the oil a notch or two so don't worry about a thing.  It's as healthy as it can be. hahaha.  My Adobo probably has 1/4 oil of that in the usual Adobo recipe.

In American, BBQ contests.  In the Philippines, Adobo beat-downs haaha.   

4-6 servings; 1-1.5hrs
Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 large onion
• 1'' slice ginger
• 6 cloves garlic roughly minced
• 3lbs chicken drumetts
• 1/4tsp ground black pepper
• generous pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 dried bay leaves
• 1 cup water
• 5tbsp soy sauce
• 1tbsp fish sauce
• 5 tbsp white vinegar

1.  Heat up frying pan medium high heat. add oil. add garlic and onions together. stir fry until onions are translucent (~5min.).
2. add chicken, salt, black and red pepper. Stir fry until chicken is no longer pink and translucent (~5min).
3.  add water, ginger, and bay leaves.  Bring up to boil, then reduce back to medium low heat, cover, and cook for ~5min.
4. at this point chicken should be 3/4 cooked.  Combine soy sauce, fish sauce, and vinegar in a bowl. Mix. pour evenly on top of chicken.  DO NOT STIR.  cover and turn heat down to lowest flame.  cover and simmer ~25min.
5.  Open lid, carefully tong out chicken into a bowl leaving juices behind in pan.  Adjust to high heat and reduce sauce to 1/2 or until it becomes slightly thick.
6.  add chicken back into pan. boil high heat for 3min. Turn flame off.
7. Wait a bit for juices to settle in (adobo ages well. tastes better day after).
8. this dish is best served with white rice and fried over easy eggs.

*Click HERE for a cooking dictionary.

Cajun Ham and Cheese Omelete

I'm an egg lover (understatement), guilty as charged. 

Aside from being nutrient rich in brain healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, eggs are cheap, delicious, easy to prepare, and can be utilized in any category of food and in any course.  Here's one of infinite ways to prepare them for breakfast.

Don't have any time to eat this at home? Slap it in between two slices of bread or stuff it into a tortilla and take it to go!

~2servings; 10-15min

Ingredients:

• 1tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic finely minced
• 1/2 small onion diced
• 1 small tomato diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper diced
• 2 slices deli ham sliced
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
• 2-3 large eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• pinch dried parsley flakes
• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream, ketchup, hot sauce (optional)

Directions:
1.  Heat up a non stick pan. medium high heat.  Add oil. Add garlic, onion, and a sprinkle of salt (draw water out faster). stir frequently until onions are translucent.
2.  Add ham, bell peppers, tomato, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning. cook ~4min. or until veggies have somewhat shriveled up.
3.  In a separate bowl add eggs, salt, pepper, ad parsley.  Beat well just before adding to pan. Turn flame up to high heat.  While swishing the pan back and forth rigorously, add egg.  This will help prevent egg from sticking to pan. add cheese on uncooked top. as soon as bottom half of egg is cooked, flip into half and transfer to plate. Omelet will continue to cook on its own. 
4. add you favorite toppings- chopped green onion, sour cream, ketchup, hot sauce, etc.

*Tip: if you're looking to up the quantity of the dish, add in 1/2 medium sized white potato diced.  Add after onions/garlic and splash a generous amount of water.cover with lid to get them to cook faster. Once fork tender. continue with step 2.
*if you end up adding an extra egg and/or potato, make sure you splash in a little more oil to prevent egg from sticking to pan.
*Click HERE for a cooking dictionary.

Iced Coffee

What are the chances of a med student asking for a cup of coffee throughout their educational career?  100% chance.  Sad to say, sleep becomes a foreign concept to students and they end becoming dependent on coffee to get them through day and night.    Here's an easy iced coffee recipe that you can easily contour fit to anyone's liking.  If you know me, you'll know that I always try sneaking in ingredients in all of my recipes to make them healthier, even if just a bit.  With the amount of stress these students go through, they'll need all the nutrients they can get! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup boiling water (you can use a microwave)
• 1tsp instant coffee (1/2tsp extra for extra strength)
• 1 heaping tbsp white sugar
• 1/4tsp cinnamon
• splash vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup regular milk (cream, evaporated, or condensed for a richer texture)
• 1 large glass of ice

Directions
1. Combine coffee, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a mug.  Add boiling water to dissolve.
2. Add coffee mixture to a tall glass of ice.
3. Add milk.
4. Stir till ice cold.

*Click HERE for a cooking dictionary. 

 Optional: top with whipped cream, add in your favorite syrup, top with caramel, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or chocolate sauce.  Although adding too much sugar and fat can counter the wanted effects of caffeine.