One of the trending activities on YouTube for pre-teens is posting “food challenge” videos. With the help of a parent, a pair of kids will gather their favorite foods as well as a variety of strange items found in the grocery isles. Then with their eyes closed, the kids take turns eating the foods and having to guess what he/she is eating. My own kids try this at home, but usually with only foods they like!

My daily challenge as Dorm Staff is cooking meals for a variety of tastes. This year we have students from 4 different continents! Have you ever thought about what different countries use for their grain/bread intake? Americans use a lot of variety in this category but many countries eat the same starchy foods with every meal. In Bolivia nationals eat multiple types of potatoes or root crops; in the Philippines it is 3/4 plate of white rice. In every location we have lived the people have a unique type of bread that is eaten at breakfast with coffee. Having lived in South America and Southeast Asia, I am thankful that I have experienced a broader understanding to international diets.

Here is a Dorm favorite meal from the Philippines. It is easily prepared, can be done in a crock pot, and is adaptable for those with gluten intolerance. This meal can be made with any type of meat: pork tenderloin, chicken breast or bone-in pieces, beef shoulder or butt roast, and even seafoods.

Filipino Adobo

4 garlic cloves, mashed or minced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 Tablespoon oil

1 1/2 pounds meat of your choice, cut into 1″ cubes

4 dried bay leaves

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

1/3 cup soy sauce

2 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup white vinegar

3 tablespoons brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare garlic and onion. Cut meat into cubes. [When using bone-in pieces, do not cut meat into cubes, only into smallest portion size.]

2. In a large saucepan, heat oil. When hot, add garlic and onion. Cook until onion is transparent. Add meat and just brown sides.

3. Combine sauce ingredients in small bowl: soy sauce, chicken broth, vinegar

4. When meat is browned, add bay leaves, peppercorns and sauce ingredients. Simmer on low heat until meat is cooked through and tender, about 1 hour.

5. Remove bay leaves. Add brown sugar.

Serve with hot rice. Serves 6-8.

To make in the crock pot, complete steps #1-2 in a large sauce pan. Once meat is browned, place meat and all ingredients in a crockpot, except brown sugar. Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. Make sure meat is cooked through before serving. Add brown sugar.

Enjoy!!