When All Else Fails

break out the garlic and onion! In my Nana's household, it's imperative to always have these two things laying around. I never understood why my aunt always has a huge mound of garlic cloves hanging in the kitchen, but after finding out how to make my Nana's Kidney Beans and Chicken/Pork Adobo, it became very clear to me that these are two essential ingredients in a lot of her cooking.

Recently, I called my Nana to say hello, and asked her how to make her kidney beans, which are so tasty. I've tried making them and they never come out the way I want them to. What I lacked was sauteeing the meat (pork is preferred but beef will do) in garlic and onion and oil, then combining them all (juices too) with the beans in the pot. I asked about using the crockpot and Nana scoffed at the thought of that. Sorry, but that's my shortcut I will use. LOL. About adobo, the only way I like it is the way she makes it. Again, you sautee pork or chicken in a pan with garlic and onion and oil, then you add some vinegar and salt. If you want add a little soy sauce and that's it. Sometimes she adds bay leaves to the adobo and whole peppercorns as well.

There's nothing like my Nana's cooking...and she's 84, still cooking. I'm glad I was able to find out how to make it!