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.

Adobo is a Filipino marinade that provides the primary flavor of one of the most popular national dishes. Typically, adobo dishes are made with meat or seafood, but I decided to make a vegetable version with sitaw, or string beans, and tofu. Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk and pressing it to form soft or hard white blocks. It is a common ingredient in many Asian cuisines. It's easy to cook, and it's nutritious, too.

I call this dish adobong sitaw with crunchy fried tofu. Let's start cooking!

Some of the ingredients for adobong sitaw with crunchy fried tofu.

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Ingredients

• 100 grams string beans, trimmed and snapped 3 inches long
• 100 grams tofu
• 1 tablespoon onion, sliced
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/4 tablespoon white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• a pinch of black pepper
• water, as needed
• crispy fried garlic bits, optional

Utensils

For Preparation:

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

For Cooking:

• frying pan
• tongs
• strainer
• bowl
• saute pan
• cooking spoon

Instructions

1. Heat enough oil in a deep fryer or frying pan. Cook tofu until golden brown. Set aside.
2. Mix soy sauce, vinegar, white sugar, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Taste to adjust the seasoning if needed. Set aside.
3. In a separate pan, saute onion and garlic.
4. Mix in water and the seasonings.
5. Add the string beans. Cook until tender.
6. Toss in fried tofu.
7. Turn off the heat. Serve it with optional crispy fried garlic bits on top.

Step-by-Step Video: Adobong Utong na may Tokwa

Tips and Techniques

• Double the amount of soy sauce, vinegar, white sugar, salt, black pepper, and water to achieve a saucy adobo.
• Mix the seasonings together in a bowl first and taste before adding them. That way, you can make the necessary adjustments.
• Bear in mind that the taste of the seasonings may vary according to brand and type. For example, low-sodium soy sauce is available in the market.
• Try topping the dish with homemade crispy fried garlic bits.

Another Adobo Dish

• How to Make Adobong Bayawak: A Filipino-Inspired Exotic Delicacy
  In this simple recipe, I use bayawak, or monitor lizard, to make a tasty Filipino adobo. Step-by-step procedure included.

© 2018 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on December 06, 2018:

Hello Liz,

That can be a good title. Straight to the point and somthing interesting.

Liz Westwood from UK on December 06, 2018:

Dishes from my travels?

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on December 05, 2018:

Hi Eric,

I love the mix of your tofu. Raw brown sugar is good as this ingredient will make a fried tofu tastes better. I'll try your simple recipe next time!

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on December 05, 2018:

Hello Liz,

I'm looking forward to that too! LOL I wonder what will be the title of my very first book? Any suggestions? ('',)

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on December 05, 2018:

Hi Mary,

I like to replace any meats with tofu because the texture if well well prepared, it gives similar texture. I guess you have a menu for lunch or dinner today! Thank you for dropping by.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on December 05, 2018:

Count me in. I hope it works OK with a raw brown sugar and mixing less salt with no salt seasoning. Crispy Tofu and Garlic --- yum.

Liz Westwood from UK on December 05, 2018:

I am waiting for your cookery book to get published with all these great recipes.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on December 05, 2018:

I thought about sitaw last night and had a craving for it. I have not tried it with crispy tofu so this is something new to add to our menu selection.