Adobong Isda with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fish fillets, such as tilapia or bangus 500g (1.1 lb) fish fillets, such as tilapia or bangus
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar 1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 onion, sliced 1 onion, sliced
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned 1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and sugar. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Place the fish fillets in the marinade and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a large pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Sauté the sliced onions and julienned ginger until fragrant and translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the marinated fish fillets to the pan, along with the bay leaves and black peppercorns.
6. 6.
   Pour in the marinade and bring it to a simmer.
7. 7.
   Cover the pan and let the fish cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until it is tender and fully cooked.
8. 8.
   Season with salt to taste.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Choose fresh fish fillets, such as tilapia or bangus, for the best flavor and texture. Make sure to remove any bones before marinating.
• Ginger — Use fresh ginger for its aromatic and spicy notes. Peel the ginger before julienned it for the recipe.
• Bay leaves — These fragrant leaves add a subtle earthy flavor to the dish. Remove them before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a chopped chili pepper to the marinade.
• Letting the fish marinate for a longer time, up to overnight, will intensify the flavors.
• Serve the Adobong Isda with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
• Experiment with different types of fish to find your favorite variation of this dish.

Serving advice

Serve the Adobong Isda hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Accompany it with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables for a satisfying and authentic Filipino meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Adobong Isda in a shallow serving dish, allowing the fish and flavorful sauce to take center stage. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of color.