Chicken In Soy Sauce (Filipino Chicken Adobo)

This Filipino Chicken Adobo is a definite step away from "the same old". Chicken braised in pungent vinegar and soy sauce with an addition of garlic and ginger is just crazy delicious.

8 chicken legs and thighs
½ cup Bragg soy sauce (125 mL)
½-¾ cup rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 (2") long piece ginger, grated
5 cloves garlic, crushed
2-3 bay leaves
½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 medium carrot, cut in large chunks
1 medium potato, cut in large chunks
½ cup water (125 mL)
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. water
1 spring onion (optional)

Garnish:
1 lime, cut into wedges

In a large bowl combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp of oil, 4 garlic cloves crushed, half of grated ginger, black pepper, add chicken pieces and let them marinade for 30 minutes in the fridge.

In a wok or a deep pan, brown chicken pieces for 3 minutes on each side, might need to do that in batches not to overcrowd chicken, otherwise they will steam instead of brown. Do not discard the marinade. Chicken will not be cooked all the way through, remove it from the pan to a plate and set aside.

To the same pan add 1 Tbsp. of vegetable oil, sliced garlic and the remaining ginger, stir fry for 1 minute, do not let them brown. Add the chicken, marinade, water, bay leaves, potatoes and carrots, (the sauce will not cover the chicken entirely), turn the heat up and bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes until carrots and potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and the chicken is cooked all the way through.

In a small bowl mix cornstarch with water, making sure there are no clumps and add to the sauce, mix through and let it simmer for a couple more minutes, which will allow the sauce to thicken. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, it should be thick enough to coat the pieces. If the sauce is not thick enough, cook it a bit longer until desired consistency. Sprinkle with sliced spring onion.

Serve with plain rice and lime wedges.

Makes 4 servings.