How to Make Adobong Bayawak: A Filipino-Inspired Delicacy

I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

Bayawak, or monitor lizard, is a type of carnivorous lizard that is native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In many parts of the Philippines, bayawak is prepared as an exotic delicacy. This particular exotic recipe is inspired by recipes from the Filipino province of Ilocos Norte, where my family came from.

Cook Time

The ingredients: bayawak.

1 / 2

Ingredients

• 250 grams bayawak, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste

Utensils

For Preparation:

• 1 plate
• 2 small bowls
• 2 medium bowls
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• chopping board
• knife

For Cooking:

• pot
• cooking spoon

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Saute bayawak until golden brown.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan. Cook until tender.
4. Add more water if necessary. Cook until the water has cooked off.
5. Serve adobong bayawak with your favorite alcoholic drink.

Tips

• Add fresh garlic and onions if preferred. Saute garlic and onion first—before adding the other ingredients.
• Make it spicy by adding fresh bird's eye chilies or chili garlic oil.
• Add more liquid if necessary.
• Serve adobong bayawak as a pulutan or hors d'oeuvre.

Another Adobo Recipe

• Adobong Sitaw With Crunchy Fried Tofu: A Filipino-Inspired Dish
  Have you ever tasted Filipino adobo? It is a popular dish from the Philippines, usually made with meat, that is savory, sour, and sometimes sweet. I created a vegetable version of this dish, which I call adobong sitaw with crunchy fried tofu.

© 2019 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on March 13, 2019:

Hi Eric,

Yes, I love Mexican adobo as well. Though ours is kinda sweeter version. On the other hand, most Asian countries food is almost similar. Maybe because of their influences on their nearby countries.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on March 13, 2019:

Hello Liz,

I agree with you. You might night be able to find exotic stuffs in Europe. Most exotic foods I guess are commonly found in Asian countries or in some parts in USA. Maybe when you were able to visit the continent I guess.

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on March 13, 2019:

Hi Mary,

I believe that this is a common exotic delicacy. I hope you can try it next time when you get a chance to travel to places who offer this dish.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 13, 2019:

I always like reading your recipes - They are very comparable to some Vietnamese(South) and Mexican recipes which I am familiar with.

Liz Westwood from UK on March 12, 2019:

I think I might have difficulty finding the main ingredient in the UK, but this looks like an interesting dish.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on March 12, 2019:

I have never tried this but I have heard people talk about it. I am not sure if I have the stomach for it.