Tortang Talong Recipe (2024)

Published: by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Tortang Talong, or eggplant omelet, is the Filipino version of an omelet with smoky, custardy eggplant grilled on an open flame. It is dipped in an egg mixture and fried, creating a fluffy omelet with crispy edges. It's a simple yet flavorful way to elevate the humble eggplant into a special and satisfying meal.

Tortang Talong Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • What is Torta?
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Notes and substitutions
  • How to make this recipe
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Try other dishes with eggplant
  • Other vegetable recipes you may like
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is Torta?

In Filipino cuisine, "torta" is a savory omelet, derived from the Spanish word for "cake," reflecting the Philippines' Spanish colonial history. While "torta" in Spain can denote a cake, in the Philippines, it's primarily an egg-based dish.

Popular variations include Tortang Sayote (chayote omelet), Tortang Giniling (a ground meat omelet, typically made with leftover Picadillo), and Tortang Alimasag (crab omelet). It's customary to serve torta with rice, and it's frequently paired with banana ketchup for an added burst of flavor.

Ingredients you'll need

Tortang Talong Recipe (2)

Notes and substitutions

  • Eggplant: Choose the long, slender Japanese/Chinese variety available at Asian supermarkets.
  • Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, which is ideal for frying. Good options include vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil if you're willing to spend a bit more.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Use a fork to pierce the eggplant to allow the steam to escape as it cooks, preventing it from bursting. Grill them on the stove over medium-high heat, preferably on a wire rack.

Turn them with tongs every few minutes until the skin is charred and flaky and the flesh becomes soft. Alternatively, you can broil them in the oven until charred.

Tortang Talong Recipe (3)

Step 2: Once cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin while leaving the flesh intact. You can use a spoon to scrape any burnt bits or rinse them gently under running water.

Tortang Talong Recipe (4)

Step 3: Flatten them with a fork, keeping them as whole as possible. Set them aside.

Tortang Talong Recipe (5)

Step 4: Combine 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, a pinch of salt, some ground pepper, 1 stalk of scallion, and chilies (if using) in a bowl. Beat until frothy to create a lighter and fluffier omelet.

Tortang Talong Recipe (6)

Step 5: Dip the eggplant into the egg mixture, coating them well. If you prefer to fry them separately, you can use two bowls to make it easier to slide them into the pan.

Tortang Talong Recipe (7)

Step 6: Heat a small skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil, around ½-inch thick. Once the oil starts smoking, carefully slide the eggplant into the skillet. The hot oil will create a fluffy omelet with crispy edges.

Tortang Talong Recipe (8)

Step 7: Fry until the edges are browned, about 1 minute. If the eggs have spread out too much, you can fold the sides inward.

Tortang Talong Recipe (9)

Step 8: Carefully flip the omelet and continue frying the other side for another minute until browned and thoroughly cooked.

Tortang Talong Recipe (10)

Step 9: Drain the excess oil as you lift it off the pan or drain it on paper towels.

Serve immediately and enjoy with ketchup, sweet chili sauce, or Sriracha. For a classic Filipino meal, serve it withSinangag or Java Rice.

Tortang Talong Recipe (11)

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of eggplant?

While it is possible to use other types of eggplant, such as globe or Italian eggplant, it's worth noting that larger ones can be a bit trickier to cook on the stovetop. They tend to char on the outside before the inside becomes creamy and fully cooked.

What does eggplant taste like?

Eggplant has a mild, earthy taste. The flavor can vary depending on how it's cooked and seasoned. When cooked, it becomes tender and creamy. Proper seasoning is essential to avoid any bitterness or blandness.

Try other dishes with eggplant

  • Eggplant Stir Fry: A quick stir-fry with eggplants, shrimp, bell peppers, and aromatics.
  • Ensaladang Talong: A creamy salad with grilled eggplants, tomatoes, and onions, usually seasoned with shrimp paste or vinegar.
  • Kare Kare: A rich peanut stew that contains beef (often oxtail) and various vegetables like eggplant, yarlong beans, and okra.
  • Adobong Talong: Eggplant slices stewed in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, adopting the classic Filipino adobo flavor profile.
  • Pinakbet: A mixed vegetable stew with eggplant, squash, okra, yardlong beans, and bitter gourd, sautéed with shrimp paste.

Other vegetable recipes you may like

  • Ginataang Puso ng Saging Recipe
  • Tofu and Mushroom Adobo Recipe
  • Laing Recipe
  • Adobong Talong Recipe
Tortang Talong Recipe (16)

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📖 Recipe

Tortang Talong Recipe (17)

Tortang Talong Recipe

A fluffy omelet with crispy edges made with smoky, custardy eggplant grilled on an open flame.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Filipino

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Nora Rey

Cost: $2-$3

Equipment

  • Small skillet or wok

Ingredients

  • 2 Japanese or Chinese eggplant see note
  • 3 eggs beaten well
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Neutral oil (for frying) see note

Instructions

  • Use a fork to pierce the eggplant to allow the steam to escape as it cooks, preventing it from bursting.

  • Grill them on the stove over medium-high heat, preferably on a wire rack. Turn them with tongs every few minutes until the skin is charred and flaky and the flesh becomes soft. Alternatively, you can broil them in the oven until charred.

  • Once cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin while leaving the flesh intact. You can use a spoon to scrape any burnt bits or rinse them gently under running water.

  • Flatten them with a fork, keeping them as whole as possible. Set them aside.

  • Combine the eggs, fish sauce, a pinch of salt, some ground pepper, scallions, and chilies (if using) in a bowl. Beat until frothy to create a lighter and fluffier omelet.

  • Dip the eggplant into the egg mixture, coating them well. If you prefer to fry them separately, you can use two bowls to make it easier to slide them into the pan.

  • Heat a small skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil, around ½-inch thick.

    Once the oil starts smoking, carefully slide the eggplant into the skillet. The hot oil will create a fluffy omelet with crispy edges.

  • Fry until the edges are browned, about 1 minute. If the eggs have spread out too much, you can fold the sides inward.

  • Carefully flip the omelet and continue frying the other side for another minute until browned and thoroughly cooked.

  • Drain the excess oil as you lift it off the pan or drain it on paper towels. Serve immediately and enjoy with ketchup, sweet chili sauce, or Sriracha.

Notes

  • Eggplant: Choose the long, slender Japanese/Chinese variety available at Asian supermarkets.
  • Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, which is ideal for frying. Good options include vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil if you're willing to spend a bit more.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 6gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 574mgFiber: 7gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. B

    Tortang Talong Recipe (22)
    Yummmm!

    Reply

    • Nora Rey

      I totally agree! 🤤😋

      Reply

Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

Tortang Talong Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Tortang Talong made of? ›

Tortang talong, also known as eggplant omelette, is an omelette or fritter from Filipino cuisine made by pan-frying grilled whole eggplants dipped in an egg mixture. It is a popular breakfast and lunch meal in the Philippines.

What is best paired with Tortang Talong? ›

Serve it with steamed rice and ketchup for a delicious breakfast, or try it with other Filipino favorites such as adobo, sinigang, or pancit for a complete meal. For a more authentic experience, enjoy your Tortang Talong with a side of ensalada, like Ensaladang Talong or Tomato, Grilled Eggplant, and Salted Egg Salad.

What is the Filipino name for eggplant? ›

In the Philippines, eggplant is known as talong and is the number one vegetable in terms of production area.

Is Tortang Talong high in calories? ›

Other sizes: 1 serving - 193kcal, 100 g - 69kcal, more...

What's the difference between Chinese eggplant and Japanese eggplant? ›

The difference is that Chinese are lighter purple, and Japanese are a dark purple like the American eggplant.

What is the difference between Japanese eggplant and regular eggplant? ›

Japanese eggplants offer a sweeter, more tender, and more delicate taste than standard American eggplants. Because they're smaller and longer, they possess fewer seeds. This rids them of that typical vegetal bitterness that you'll find in some eggplant varieties.

How do you get the most flavor out of eggplant? ›

Here's how to do it:Slice or cube the eggplant as desired. Sprinkle salt over the eggplant pieces and let them sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse the salted eggplant under running water to remove the salt. Pat dry with a clean towel before using in your recipe.

Is Tortang Talong the best egg dish in the world? ›

It is yet another list on the Taste Atlas website where Filipino food has emerged as part of the upper echelons. Tortang talong may be considered simple fare, but this simple dish has just been judged as the best egg dish in the world.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggplant? ›

The healthiest cooking methods for eggplant include baking, grilling, or roasting. These methods require minimal added fats and help retain the vegetable's nutrients. Can eggplant be eaten raw? While eggplant can be eaten raw, it is not commonly done due to its slightly bitter taste and tough texture.

Why do Americans say eggplant? ›

The name eggplant is usual in North American English and Australian English. First recorded in 1763, the word "eggplant" was originally applied to white cultivars, which look very much like hen's eggs (see image).

What is the most common eggplant in the Philippines? ›

Long and purple eggplant varieties, like the Fortuner F1 and Banate King F1, are popular in most regions in the Philippines.

What is the common insect in the eggplant in the Philippines? ›

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is the leading vegetable grown and consumed in the Philippines, and the eggplant leafhopper is one of its most important insect pests.

Can I eat eggplant everyday? ›

Eating eggplant every day is generally not bad for you, but it's important to consider a few factors: Nutritional Value: Eggplants are a nutritious vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in calories and can be a healthy addition to your daily diet.

Is eggplant better for you than chicken? ›

Eggplant parmesan is a lot healthier for you than chicken, but it comes at the cost of being a lot less filling. If you want a full meal, chicken parm is a better option. If you're looking for nutritional benefits first, eggplant parmesan will be your friend.

Is eggplant good for a diabetic? ›

It showed that they could reduce levels of specific enzymes that influence sugar absorption, helping reduce blood sugar. Eggplants fit well into current dietary recommendations for controlling diabetes, which include a high-fiber diet rich in whole grains and vegetables.

What is eggplant made of? ›

Raw eggplant is 92% water, 6% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and has negligible fat (table).

What type of vegetable is talong? ›

eggplant, (Solanum melongena), tender perennial plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its edible fruits.

Why is Tortang Talong healthy? ›

This simple and heart healthy dish combines the fresh and light flavor of eggplant with the rich flavor of egg infused with savory chicken taste. Eggplant is a rich source of fiber which does not only benefit the digestive process, but it also helps to improve your heart health.

What kind of vegetable is eggplant? ›

Eggplants, also known as aubergines, belong to the nightshade family of plants and are used in many different dishes around the world. Although often considered a vegetable, they're technically a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds. There are many varieties that range in size and color.

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