Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

The peanut sauce should be thin enough to spoon generously over the skewers but thick enough to coat — aim for heavy cream consistency. Adjust with water or more peanut butter as needed.

Char banana leaves lightly over an open flame before wrapping. The smoky aroma complements the spicy peanut sauce perfectly. If you can't char them, warm them in a dry pan to make them pliable.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling. Dry bamboo burns on the grill, imparting a bitter taste. Metal skewers work but don't give the subtle wood-smoke flavor.

Cooking Tips

Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern before cooking — this helps render the fat evenly and creates a crisper texture. Let pork rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking before slicing. This redistributes juices so every bite stays moist.

Ingredient Substitutions

No soy sauce? Use tamari (gluten-free), coconut aminos (paleo-friendly), or a mix of fish sauce and water for a different but delicious umami profile. For a low-sodium version, use light soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with a splash of water or broth. Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu. 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.

Satti

Satti

Zamboanga, Zamboanga Peninsula

Zamboanga's beloved morning street food — skewered beef or pork grilled and smothered in a spicy peanut sauce with a tangy vinegar dip. A fusion of Spanish, Arabic, and native influences that starts Zamboangueño mornings right.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 30 min Total: 70 min Medium Serves 1

Instructions

  1. Marinate the meat cubes in soy sauce, calamansi juice, minced garlic, and black pepper. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes — overnight is even better if you can.
  2. For the peanut sauce, heat the peanut oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the peanut butter and stir until it melts and becomes smooth. If it's too thick, add water a little at a time until you get a pourable, creamy consistency.
  3. Stir in the chopped siling labuyo, vinegar, and sugar into the peanut sauce. Keep it warm on low heat — adjust the heat level by adding more or fewer chilies to your taste.
  4. Thread the marinated meat onto skewers, leaving a small gap between each cube so they cook evenly.
  5. Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges — about 8-10 minutes.
  6. Cut banana leaves into squares big enough to hold a skewer. Place a banana leaf square on a plate, lay the skewer on top, and generously spoon the spicy peanut sauce over the meat.
  7. Garnish with freshly diced red onion and extra siling labuyo on the side. Serve immediately while the meat is hot and the sauce is still warm.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

The peanut sauce should be thin enough to spoon generously over the skewers but thick enough to coat — aim for heavy cream consistency. Adjust with water or more peanut butter as needed.

Char banana leaves lightly over an open flame before wrapping. The smoky aroma complements the spicy peanut sauce perfectly. If you can't char them, warm them in a dry pan to make them pliable.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling. Dry bamboo burns on the grill, imparting a bitter taste. Metal skewers work but don't give the subtle wood-smoke flavor.

Cooking Tips

Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern before cooking — this helps render the fat evenly and creates a crisper texture.
Let pork rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking before slicing. This redistributes juices so every bite stays moist.

Substitutions

No soy sauce? Use tamari (gluten-free), coconut aminos (paleo-friendly), or a mix of fish sauce and water for a different but delicious umami profile.
For a low-sodium version, use light soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with a splash of water or broth.
Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu.
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.
M

Chef Jun Mercado

Seafood, Grilling & Filipino Fusion

Chef Jun Mercado is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Trained at the Center for Culinary Arts in Manila, he spent a decade working in resort kitchens across Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay before joining our team to share seafood, grilling, and Filipino fusion recipes.

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