Submitted by Tired Lil Tinker Hell
Serves 5+
Ingredients
| 1 c. white or cider vinegar | 1 c. water | |
| 2 tbsp peeled & crushed garlic | 1 tsp salt | |
| 3 bay leaves | 1 tsp black pepper | |
| 3 lbs. chicken (large pieces or hacked small) | 2½ lbs pork butt cut into 1½” cubes | |
| 2 tbsp soy sauce | 2 tbsp peanut oil (optional) | |
| ¼ c. red wine (optional) | Hot sauce or dried hot peppers (optional) | |
| ½ c. to 1 c. brown sugar (optional) |
Directions
- You can use either your favorite chicken pieces (thighs & legs are frequently used) or “hack” one whole chicken. Hacking refers to cutting a whole chicken into small pieces with the bone still in. Leaving the bone in the pieces helps retain moisture & shape. You do not want to make this dish with boneless chicken.
- In a large pot bring to a boil the vinegar, water, garlic, salt, bay leaves, hot pepper, & black pepper. Add the cut up meat & cover with the brown sugar & once again bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat & summer covered for 30 minutes. Add the soy sauce & the wine & cook an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the meat & continue cooking the sauce until it’s reduced by half.
- Optional: While the sauce continues to cook, you may want to brown the chicken & pork pieces in a hot skillet with the peanut oil. If you used large chicken pieces, skip this step.
- Serve the meat & the sauce over white rice.
Chef’s Note: Some Latin countries have an almost identical recipe, except they add the ingredients above marked as “optional”. These are not traditional in the Philippines.