Best Adobo Cuban Garlic Marinade Recipes

ADOBO (CUBAN GARLIC MARINADE)

Steps:

• Place garlic, kosher salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper, lime juice, and orange juice in a blender.
• Blend to a smooth puree.
• Abodo tastes best used within a few hours of making.

CUBAN PORK ADOBO SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing-marinade mixture, in a small bowl whisk together lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup of the mixture for the dressing in the refrigerator. For the marinade, transfer remaining mixture to a self-sealing plastic bag. Add chops; seal bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
• Prepare a medium-hot fire with charcoal or preheat gas to medium high. Lightly oil grill grate.
• Remove chops from marinade (do not pat dry), discarding marinade from the bag. Grill chops and pineapple directly over heat, turning once, until internal temperature of pork on a thermometer reads between 145 degrees F. (medium rare) and 160 degrees F. (medium), followed by a 3-minute rest, about 8 to 11 minutes.
• Plate greens on 4 dinner dishes. Divide pineapple, black beans, and onion onto plates. Top with pork chops. For the dressing, whisk the 3 tablespoons of oil and honey into the reserved dressing mixture; drizzle atop salads.
• *Cuban cooking often calls for sour orange juice, which is less sweet and more acidic than common orange juice. If you can find sour oranges, such as Seville or Bergamont, substitute this juice for the lime juice. You can also use half lime juice and half orange juice.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA'S ROAST PORK MARINATED IN A GARLICKY ALLSPICE-CUMIN ADOBO (CERDO BRUJO)

Steps:

• Making the Adobo
• Place the garlic, salt, peppercorns, cumin, and allspice in a large mortar and pound to a paste with a pestle. Stir in the bitter orange juice. (You can also puree these ingredients in a blender or food processor.) Set aside.
• Preparing the Pork
• Trim the skin from the inner part of the leg only. Wipe the meat clean with a damp cloth. Make several deep incisions all over the skinned portion and rub with the salt. Let rest for a few minutes. Rub the marinade all over the pork, pushing it into the gashes and between the meat and the skin. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or a maximum of 12 hours. Wipe the marinade from the skin with a clean cloth.
• Roasting the Pork
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the pork in a roasting pan and bake uncovered, skin side up, for 3 to 4 hours. Check the roast often. As the pan juices evaporate, replenish them with a little of the diluted sweet orange juice. The pork is done when the skin is crackling and the juices run clear when the meat is pierced at the thickest part of the leg (about 160°F on a meat thermometer).
• Finishing the Dish
• Remove the pork from the oven and lift it onto a cutting board, holding the bone with a cloth. With a sharp knife, remove the crisp skin and cut it into small serving pieces. Place them on a cookie sheet and set in the turned-off oven, uncovered (if you cover the crackling, it steams and gets soggy).
• To deglaze the pan juices, place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat and add the sherry, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon.
• Carve the pork and return to the roasting pan with the pan juices to keep the meat moist and flavorful. Pork dries out easily, so if you must hold it for more than 30 minutes, cover the pan with aluminum foil and return it to a warm oven.

CHICKEN ADOBO

Steps:

• For the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
• Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the chicken over halfway through.
• Place the chicken and marinade in a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven and add the chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, turning the chicken every 20 minutes, until cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the liquid and arrange on a serving platter. Discard the bay leaves and garlic cloves. Whisk the arrowroot and lime juice into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken or serve alongside as a dipping sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro, if using, and garnish with lime wedges.