This is another tasty version of the famous adobo, the adobong pato or duck adobo. This is very similar to chicken adobo since they are both poultry meat. But ducks are water fowl and the taste is gamey compared to domesticated chicken. And they are a lot more tough and takes longer time to cook. But since you will be using sprite or 7-up in cooking this adobo, this will act as a tenderizer and will lessen the cooking time plus it will add a more savory flavor to your duck adobo.
Discovering the Unique Flavor
Duck adobo, is a delightful twist on the classic Filipino adobo recipe. While sharing similarities with the more common chicken adobo, duck meat brings its unique gamey flavor and requires a bit more patience in the kitchen. In this recipe blog, we’ll explore the steps to prepare this mouthwatering dish and discover how the addition of sprite or 7-Up not only acts as a tenderizer but also enhances the overall taste.
Sauteing Aromatics for Flavorful Base
To start the cooking process, heat cooking oil in a pot and saute garlic and onions until they release their fragrant aroma. This initial step lays the foundation for a flavorful adobo by infusing the duck meat with the savory essence of these aromatic ingredients.
Adding Duck for a Unique Twist
Once the garlic and onions have infused their flavors into the oil, it’s time to introduce the star of the dish – the duck. Stir fry the duck pieces for about 2 minutes, allowing them to absorb the rich flavors of the sauteed aromatics. Duck, being a water fowl, imparts a distinct gamey taste to the adobo, setting it apart from its chicken counterpart.
Infusing Flavors with Soy Sauce, Vinegar, and Spices
To create the signature adobo taste, pour in soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, and laurel leaves. This combination of ingredients brings a perfect harmony of salty, tangy, and aromatic flavors to the dish. Allow the mixture to come to a boil and then simmer for approximately 3 minutes, ensuring that the duck begins to absorb these delectable flavors.
The Tenderizing Magic of Sprite or 7-Up
What sets this duck dish apart is the use of a surprising ingredient – sprite or 7-Up. This carbonated beverage not only acts as a tenderizer for the tough duck meat but also imparts a unique sweetness that complements the savory elements of the adobo. Pour the sprite or 7-Up into the pot, bringing the mixture to a boil once again. Then, let it simmer until the duck achieves the desired tenderness, which usually takes around 60 minutes.
Simmering to Perfection
Simmering is a crucial step in adobo preparation, allowing the meat to soak up the rich blend of flavors. As the sprite or 7-Up works its magic, the duck becomes tender, and the sauce thickens to perfection. The slow cooking process ensures that every bite is infused with the delightful taste of adobo, making it worth the wait.
Serving the Duck Adobo
Once the duck is tender and the flavors have melded beautifully, it’s time to serve the adobo hot. The aromatic blend of garlic, onions, soy sauce, vinegar, and the surprising touch of sprite or 7-Up creates a symphony of flavors that will undoubtedly leave your taste buds wanting more.
A Unique Culinary Experience
Adobong pato stands as a testament to the versatility of Filipino adobo, showcasing how a simple tweak in ingredients can result in an entirely new culinary experience. The gamey taste of duck, combined with the tenderizing properties of sprite or 7-Up, elevates this dish to a whole new level. As you savor each bite, you’ll appreciate the balance of flavors that make this dish a unique and delightful addition to your culinary repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and embark on a flavorful journey with this exceptional duck adobo recipe.
How to Cook Adobong Pato
Ingredients
- 1 whole dressed duck cut into serving pieces
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pc red onion chopped
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 cups sprite or 7-UP softdrink
- 1/4 tsp. black ground pepper
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 3 pcs Laurel leaves
Instructions
How to cook Adobong Pato
- In a pot, heat cooking oil and saute garlic and onions until fragrant. Add in the duck and stir fry for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and laurel leaves. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Then pour the sprite or 7-Up and again bring to a boil and simmer until the meat is tender, about 60 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
Cooking Tips:
Marination Matters: Before diving into the cooking process, invest some time in marinating the duck pieces. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, cracked black pepper, and laurel leaves. Allow the duck to soak up these flavors for at least 30 minutes or, for a more intense taste, refrigerate it for a few hours. Marination not only infuses the meat with delicious seasonings but also ensures a more flavorful outcome. Slow and Low: Cooking duck requires patience, and a slow, low simmer is key to achieving that coveted tenderness in cooking duck. After sautéing the garlic and onions and stir-frying the duck for a couple of minutes, bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for a minimum of 60 minutes. This prolonged cooking time allows the meat to absorb the rich amalgamation of soy sauce, vinegar, and the surprising addition of sprite or 7-Up. Balance is Key: The art of perfecting this dish lies in striking the right balance of flavors. As you simmer the duck in soy sauce, vinegar, and sprite or 7-Up, taste the mixture periodically. Adjust the quantities of these key ingredients according to your preference. Add more soy sauce for saltiness, vinegar for tanginess, or sprite/7-Up for sweetness. This flexibility ensures that you tailor the dish to your taste buds, creating a harmonious blend of salty, tangy, and sweet notes in your adobo. Experiment until you find the ideal balance that suits your palate.Nutrition Notes:
Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.Nutrition Facts:
Amount per Serving:466g, Calories:976kcal, From fat:773, Total fat:85.9g, Saturated Fat:30g, Trans Fat:0g, Cholesterol:161mg, Sodium: 1324 Total Carbohydrate: 23g, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 18g, Protein: 27g, Vitamin A: 7%, Vitamin C: 16%, Calcium: 5%, Iron: 32%
Courtney Sanderson
Hi! I’m trying to learn more about Filipino food and I was wondering why it is sometimes called adobo and other times it’s called adobong. Thanks!
Manny
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re question is quite hard to explain since I’m really not good in English and sometimes there are Filipino words that I can’t translate to English. Anyway this is just my own explanation regarding the difference between adobo and adobong. “Adobo” is a dish and “adobong” is a kind of action word where you will make an adobo dish using what kind of ingredients you want to use. For example, adobong baboy is pork adobo. Adobong manok is chicken adobo and adobong pato is duck adobo. Baboy in english is pork, manok is chicken and duck is pato. I hope this explanation helps! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Alex
Will boiling 2 cups of soda last for 2 hours?
Manny
Hi Alex, maybe not. You can always add more 7-Up or water is the duck meat is still tough. ðŸ˜
Charles Piano
Is this Adobong Pato is the same with Adobong Itik? is there any difference in its taste? Thank you
Manny
Hi Charles, Pato is not the same as itik. Pato is muscovy duck while itik is a breed of the Philippine native mallard layer duck. The taste is almost the same but pato is meatier than itik.