Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce

Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce Recipe - Vegan Delight from Southeast Asia

Region / culture: Philippines, Southeast Asia | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4 |

Vegan diet

Introduction

Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce is a delicious and flavorful sauce that is commonly used in Filipino cuisine to marinate meats and poultry before grilling or roasting. This sauce is a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will surely elevate your dishes.

History

The Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce has its roots in traditional Filipino cooking, where it is used to add flavor and moisture to grilled meats. The sauce is typically made with a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, onions, sugar, and various spices. Over the years, different variations of the recipe have emerged, each with its own unique twist.

Ingredients

0.5 cup of soy sauce
0.5 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 head of garlic, minced
1 onion, finely chopped or minced
1 cup of diet lemon-lime soda or calamansi juice
1 tsp of lime juice
1 tsp of ground black pepper
6 tbsp of white sugar
0.5 cup of banana or tomato ketchup
0.5 cup of oyster sauce
2 tbsp of chile paste with garlic
3 tbsp of chili powder

How to prepare

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and marinate the meat for a minimum of 2 to 4 hours. It is preferable to marinate overnight.
Transfer the homemade barbecue sauce into a clean glass jar using a spoon, funnel, or by pouring it. Store the jar in the refrigerator for later use.
Before cooking the meats or poultry, remove them from the marinade. Boil the marinade to reduce it and use it as a glaze for the meat during cooking.

Variations

Add pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a richer flavor.
Experiment with different types of chili paste for varying levels of heat.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Marinate the meat for at least 2 to 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.

- Boil the marinade before using it as a glaze to ensure that it is safe to consume.

- Adjust the amount of sugar and chili paste to suit your taste preferences.

- Use a brush to evenly coat the meat with the barbecue sauce while grilling or roasting.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce with grilled meats, poultry, or seafood. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or lumpia.

Cooking Techniques

Marinate the meat in the barbecue sauce for maximum flavor absorption. Boil the marinade before using it as a glaze to ensure that it is safe to consume.

Ingredient Substitutions

Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar.

- Use Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce for a different flavor profile.

- Replace chili powder with paprika for a milder taste.

Make Ahead Tips

The barbecue sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Marinate the meat overnight for the best results.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the grilled meats or poultry with a side of steamed rice and a fresh salad for a complete meal. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair the Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce with a cold glass of iced tea or a refreshing fruit juice. It also goes well with grilled vegetables or skewers.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store the barbecue sauce in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat the sauce before using it as a glaze for the meat.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of the Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce contains approximately 70 calories.

Carbohydrates

The Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce is relatively high in carbohydrates due to the sugar content. Each serving contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

This barbecue sauce is low in fats, with only 1 gram of fat per serving.

Proteins

There is minimal protein content in the Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce, with less than 1 gram of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

The sauce contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals from the garlic, onions, and chili powder used in the recipe.

Alergens

This recipe contains soy sauce and oyster sauce, which may contain allergens such as soy and shellfish. Please be cautious if you have allergies to these ingredients.

Summary

Overall, the Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce is a flavorful addition to your dishes, with moderate amounts of carbohydrates and fats.

Summary

The Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce is a versatile and flavorful sauce that will take your dishes to the next level. With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, this sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the ways of the kitchen from my own grandmother. She was a fantastic cook, known throughout our small village for her delicious dishes and mouth-watering sauces.

One day, as I watched her prepare a special meal for a family gathering, I noticed her meticulously measuring out the ingredients for a marinade that would be used to flavor the meat. Intrigued, I asked her what she was making. With a twinkle in her eye, she replied, "Ah, this is a recipe for Filipino-Style Barbecue Sauce, passed down to me from my own mother."

I begged her to teach me how to make it, to which she happily obliged. As she guided me through the steps, explaining the importance of each ingredient and the technique required to achieve the perfect balance of flavors, I felt a deep sense of connection to my heritage. This recipe, with its unique blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, spoke to me in a way that no other recipe had before.

Over the years, I continued to perfect my grandmother's recipe, tweaking it here and there to suit my own tastes. I experimented with different types of vinegar, adjusted the amount of sugar and soy sauce, and added a touch of spice with some crushed red pepper flakes. Each time I made it, I felt a sense of pride knowing that I was carrying on a tradition that had been passed down through generations.

As I grew older and started a family of my own, I found myself sharing this recipe with my own children, just as my grandmother had done with me. Together, we would gather in the kitchen, measuring out the ingredients, stirring the sauce, and marinating the meat. The familiar aroma of garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar would fill the air, transporting us back to simpler times when cooking was a labor of love and a way to connect with our heritage.

Through the years, I have shared this recipe with friends and neighbors, always receiving rave reviews and requests for the secret behind my delicious barbecue sauce. And each time I prepare it, I am reminded of the love and care that went into creating this recipe, the memories of my grandmother guiding me through the steps, and the joy of sharing a taste of my culture with those around me.

So, as I stand in my kitchen today, stirring a pot of simmering sauce and preparing to marinate some meat for a special family gathering, I can't help but feel grateful for the gift of this recipe. It is more than just a list of ingredients and instructions – it is a connection to my past, a way to honor my heritage, and a reminder that the simple act of cooking can bring us together in ways that transcend time and distance. And for that, I am forever thankful.