Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Pat the chicken skin dry with paper towels before cooking for maximum crispiness.

- For crispy chicken, avoid flipping too often — let each side cook undisturbed to develop a crust.

- For chicken adobo, let the meat rest in the marinade overnight for the best flavor penetration.

- Toss chicken wings in cornstarch before baking for an extra-crispy skin without deep frying.

Cooking Tips

Blanch leafy vegetables in boiling salted water for 30–60 seconds, then plunge into ice water. This locks in their bright color and crisp texture. Add vegetables in stages — hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) go in first, tender ones (leafy greens, beansprouts) at the very end. Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.