There are days when everything just feels heavy and nothing seems to go right. Lately I have been feeling that way because of how stressful things have been. But today something simple managed to lift my mood. My aunt cooked my favorite dish which is chicken adobo. It might seem like just an ordinary meal but for me it is one of those comfort foods that always make me feel better no matter how bad my day gets.
Chicken adobo has always been special to me. It is one of those Filipino dishes that every household knows how to cook but each family has their own version and style. The smell alone already feels comforting. It is that familiar mix of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves that instantly fills the whole kitchen. My aunt knows how much I love it so when she noticed that I have been quiet and not in the mood these past few days she decided to prepare it for dinner.
The ingredients for chicken adobo are quite simple. Here is what my aunt used:
• Chicken pieces, she used drumsticks
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Garlic, crushed
• Onion, chopped
• Whole peppercorns
• Bay leaves
• Water
• A bit of sugar to balance the taste
• Cooking oil
The process of cooking adobo starts with marinating the chicken. My aunt mixes soy sauce, vinegar, crushed garlic, and a bit of pepper. The chicken sits in that mixture for about thirty minutes or sometimes even longer if she has time. After marinating she heats oil in a pan and lightly fries the chicken pieces until they turn golden brown. Then she pours the marinade into the pan together with a bit of water and adds the bay leaves. The whole dish is then simmered until the chicken becomes tender and the sauce thickens.
While it was cooking the aroma spread all over the house. When my aunt called me to eat I could not help but smile. On my plate was a serving of white rice with the thick brown adobo sauce slowly spreading on it and a perfectly cooked chicken drumstick beside it.
The first bite was enough to make me forget about my bad day. The chicken was soft and full of flavor. The salty taste of the soy sauce and the slight tang of vinegar mixed perfectly. The garlic and bay leaves added that familiar Filipino home-cooked taste. It was simple yet satisfying in every way. I poured more sauce on my rice because that is the best part for me. The adobo sauce soaking into the rice always makes the meal even more delicious.
Eating that meal made me realize how food can really bring comfort. It is not just about filling your stomach but also about feeling cared for. My aunt did not say much but through her cooking I could feel that she wanted to cheer me up. Sometimes small gestures like that mean a lot.
Chicken adobo may be an ordinary dish for others but for me it will always be special. It reminds me of home and of the people who make even the hardest days easier to handle. Whenever I eat it I feel warm and at peace.
That is all for this blog. Thank you for taking the time to read it. I hope you also have that one dish that makes you feel at home and brings comfort on tough days. For me that will always be chicken adobo.