Adobong Mani
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Ingredients

  • 500 g raw skin-on peanuts
  • 1 head garlic, thinly sliced (about 40 g)
  • 3–5 pieces dried or fresh chilies, optional
  • 2 cups cooking oil, or enough for frying
  • ¾ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp MSG, optional

How to Make It

  1. Heat enough cooking oil in a pan over low to medium-low heat.
  2. Add the sliced garlic and fry until lightly golden and crisp.
  3. Remove the garlic from the oil and set aside.
  4. Add the peanuts to the same oil.
  5. Fry over low to medium-low heat, stirring regularly so they cook evenly.
  6. Continue frying until the peanuts smell toasted, deepen slightly in color, and the skins begin to loosen or peel.
  7. Add the chilies during the last few minutes of frying, if using.
  8. Remove the peanuts and chilies from the oil and drain well.
  9. While still warm, season with salt and MSG, if using.
  10. Add the fried garlic back in and toss until evenly distributed.
  11. Let the Adobong Mani cool before serving; the peanuts will become crispier as they cool.
Kubo Tips
  • Cook the peanuts over low to medium-low heat so they toast evenly without burning.
  • Remove the garlic once it turns lightly golden since it will continue to darken after leaving the oil.
  • A good sign that the peanuts are nearly done is when the skins start to loosen or peel and the nuts smell toasted.
  • The peanuts may still feel slightly soft while hot but will become crunchier as they cool.
  • Season while the peanuts are still warm so the salt and MSG stick better.
  • Adjust or skip the chilies depending on how spicy you want them.
  • Cool the peanuts completely before storing them in an airtight container so trapped steam does not soften them.