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Easy Tortang Talong Recipe
Tortang Talong (eggplant omelet) is a fritter from Filipino cuisine made by pan-frying grilled whole eggplants dipped in an egg mixture. It is a popular lunch meal in the Philippines. Tortang Talong is also a staple in the menu of Filipino cuisine restaurants and carinderias (eateries).
The basic tortang talong recipe starts with grilling the entire eggplant until the flesh is soft and the skin becomes charred. This should be possible in a charcoal grill, a baking pan, or over a direct flame, like on a gas stove with the eggplant wrapped in aluminum foil. The grilling gives the eggplant a distinct smoky flavor. The charred skin is then peeled off with the stalk being retained. The fleshed is mashed flat using a fork. The flesh is then dipped into a beaten egg mixture seasoned with salt. Other variations use a salt and spice mixture. The eggplant is then fried until the outside is brown and crispy.
The most common variety of eggplant in the Philippines is the long and slender purple kind. If the larger and rounder eggplant variety is to be used, the eggplant may need to be halved, with the stalk still attached, so it can be grilled more evenly.
Tortang talong is usually served with rice. It is eaten best with a dipping sauce like soy sauce, vinegar, banana ketchup, etc. Additional seasoning may be used like black pepper, calamansi, or chilis. It can also be served as a side dish to meat dishes.
A good dish to pair the Tortang Tolang is with Crispy Pata.
To learn more about Filipino cooking, here is an interesting list of cookbooks that you may use as reference:
1. I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook – by Nicole Ponseca
2. Quintessential Filipino Cooking: 75 Authentic and Classic Recipes of the Philippines – by Liza Agbanlog
3. The Easy Filipino Cookbook: 100 Classics Made Simple – by Roline Casper
4. Pulutan! Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats: (Filipino Cookbook with over 60 Easy-to-Make Recipes) Hardcover – by Marvin Gapultos
5. The Best Collection of Filipino Recipes: Philippine’s Cookbook of Authentic Dishes – by Valeria Ray
Recipe for Tortang Talong:
Easy Tortang Talong Recipe
Course: MainDifficulty: EasyTortang Talong (eggplant omelet) is a fritter from Filipino cuisine made by pan-frying grilled whole eggplants dipped in an egg mixture.
Ingredients
4 pieces eggplant (long, slender variety preferred)
2 pieces raw eggs
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp cooking oil
Directions
- Grill the eggplant until the color of skin turns almost black
- Let the eggplant cool for a while then peel off the skin. Set aside.
- Crack the eggs and place them in a bowl.
- Add salt and beat.
- Once cooled, place the eggplant on a flat surface and flatten using a fork.
- Dip the flattened eggplant in the beaten egg mixture.
- Heat the pan and pour the cooking oil.
- Fry the eggplant (that was dipped in the beaten mixture). Makes sure that both sides are cooked. Frying time will take you about 3 to 4 minutes per side on medium heat.
- Serve with rice and enjoy!
Other VEGETABLE recipes may be found HERE.
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IMAGE SOURCE: Judgefloro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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