MEET THE SOUS CHEF
KEVIN LUZANDE, CHEF DE CUISINE, PLAYA
The first thing chef Kevin Luzande remembers making as a child was strawberry ice cream. “I put strawberries, milk and ice in the blender,” he recalls. “It didn’t look pink enough.” So Luzande did what any reasonable tot might: He added ketchup.
The chef de cuisine at Los Angeles's Playa has since expanded his repertoire, thanks in part to culinary school and stints at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, David Burke’s restaurant at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and Playa’s sister restaurant, Rivera. But when he’s cooking for himself, he returns to the Filipino classics he grew up eating, recipes perfected by his grandmother and shared with him. Chicken adobo is one example, a comforting braise flavored with soy and oyster sauces and a glug of vinegar. It’s a worthy one-pot meal to add to your collection, and far more delicious than Luzande’s childhood rendition of strawberry ice cream.
TRACK THIS CHEF
DAY IN THE LIFE
Dance Dance Revolution
Sundays are typically Luzande's day off, but he admits that he often spends the time cooking. He also loves to dance. "I've been dancing since my freshman year of high school," he says. "I was never shy. You don't get the girls standing against the wall."
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Read It and Eat
“It sounds obvious, but you should always read a recipe all the way through before you start cooking,” advises Luzande. He also recommends setting aside plenty of time when you’re trying a recipe for the first time. “Cooking shouldn’t be forced or rushed. You should enjoy the process.”
Overnight Success
Though Luzande’s chicken adobo is good as soon as it’s made, like any braise, the flavors improve if the adobo sits overnight, so making it ahead is a good option, especially if you’re pressed for time.
YIELD
4 servings
INGREDIENTS
Chicken legs and/or thighs, 3½ pounds
Sea salt, 1 tablespoon
Freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon
Grapeseed oil, 2 tablespoons
Large yellow onion, 1 (coarsely chopped)
Garlic cloves, 10 (finely chopped)
Ginger root, 2-inch piece (peeled with the edge of a teaspoon and finely chopped)
Ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon
Chicken broth, 4 cups
Dried bay leaves, 2
Light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon
Oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons
Dark soy sauce, ¼ cup
Cane vinegar, ½ cup
Chives, 1 small bunch (finely chopped)
Sweet red chile, 1, (seeded and thinly sliced)--optional
Edible flowers--optional
Steamed long-grain white rice, for serving
EQUIPMENT
Paper towels
Large plate
Serving dish
DIRECTIONS
1. On a cutting board, place the
- Chicken legs and/or thighs
Season with the
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
2. In a medium pot set over medium heat, add the
- Grapeseed oil
Heat the oil until it shimmers, about 2 minutes, then add the seasoned chicken skin-side down. Cook until the chicken is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Use the tongs to turn the chicken pieces over and brown the other side, about 10 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pot and return the pot to the heat. Add the
- Chopped yellow onion
Cook, using the wooden spoon to stir the onion often, until it is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the
- Chopped garlic
- Chopped ginger
- Ground cinnamon
Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then return the browned chicken to the pot along with the
- Chicken broth
- Bay leaves
- Brown sugar
- Oyster sauce
- Dark soy sauce
- Cane vinegar
Bring the liquid to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Use the slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the broth to a simmer. Cook, whisking occasionally with the whisk, until the liquid is reduced by three-quarters and is the consistency of gravy, about 20 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot and ladle the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with
- Chopped chives
- Sweet red chile rings (if using)
- Edible flowers (if using)
Serve with cooked rice.
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