About the Blog - Fragments of a Life

This blog will contain things I have written; some of my best photos; and a selection of my favourite recipes. I am truly fortunate to have traveled to and worked in fascinating places, met remarkable people, and seen many of the wonders of planet earth. Friends have urged me to write about these experiences and to publish my photographs. Maybe, one day, these will come together into a book. For now, they will be presented as fragments of a life since I am not yet prepared to "retire" and write. As well, for many years, I have been promising to publish my "cookbook". As I cannot get my act together to edit that all at once, I will start publishing those recipes one by one.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Philippine Adobo




Cecilia Jiminez worked with the Manila-based Philippines Association of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) when I first met her in the early 1990s. She then moved to Geneva to work with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and subsequently did many human rights consultancies, capacity-building NGOs around the world. She has just now (May 2013) moved back to the Philippines – but to Davao, not Manila -- a new home for her. Way back when, she assured me that no Filippino or Filippina could go long without craving Adobo – and that still holds true. This is her recipe.



 With Cecilia in May 2010 at her home in Geneva for a Barbeque

1 kilogram chicken or pork or a combination of both
2 cloves crushed garlic
2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 litre vinegar
1/3 litre soy sauce
crushed or whole black pepper
additional 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil


  • Cut the chicken and/or pork into bite-size pieces. 
  • Sauté the crushed garlic in 2-3 tablespoons of hot oil. 
  • Remove pan from the heat. 
  • Add the chicken and/or pork, the vinegar, soy sauce and pepper. 
  • Cover and simmer on a low heat for 30 minutes. It is important that the meat be completely covered by the liquid during this process. 
  • Remove the chicken or pork and fry quickly in 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil at a high temperature to seal in the flavour and to brown. 
  • Return the chicken or pork to the sauce.

Serve warm, with boiled rice.

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