Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelet - Filipino style)

 

          Tortang Talong is a very common Filipino style eggplant omelet that is traditionally served for breakfast in the Philippines. This is a very quick recipe and one can also enjoy it as a brunch, snack, lunch / dinner or as a lunch box meal. It is also served on a bed of rice, accompanied with greens and soya sauce. 

          This simple recipe has very few ingredients, where the eggplants are first roasted on an open flame till it is charred. Then skin is then peeled, dipped in beaten egg and pan fried. Some chopped mixed veggies are added to enhance the flavour. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy and wholesome dish. 

• 2 long eggplants 
• 2 eggs
• pinch of salt
• pinch of pepper powder
• pinch of red chili flakes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. oil

          Wash, rinse and wipe dry the eggplants. Prick them with a fork and roast them on an open flame till it is well charred. Cool and peel the skin off. Give it a flat shape with the help of a fork. 

           In a large flat bowl, whisk the eggs, salt, pepper and red chili flakes. In another bowl, mix together the chopped onion, tomato, green chili and coriander leaves. 

          Heat a 1 tbsp. of oil in a pan. Dip each roasted eggplant into the egg mix and carefully place it on the pan. Sprinkle some of the mixed veggies over it and shallow fry for a minute till one side is done.

          Carefully, turn it over and cook the other side too. Similarly, pan fry the other eggplant. Serve with sauce and/or on a bed of rice for breakfast, snack or as a meal.

                                Wash, rinse & wipe dry the eggplants. Prick them with a fork.

                                   Roast them on an open flame.....

                                  ..... till it is well charred.

                        Cool & peel the skin off. Give it a flat shape with the help of a fork. 

                          In a large flat bowl, whisk the eggs, salt, pepper & red chili flakes. 

                      Heat a 1 tsp. of oil in a pan. Dip each roasted eggplant into the egg mix 

                      & carefully place it on the pan. Sprinkle some of the mixed veggies over 

                      it & shallow fry for a minute till one side is done.

                                  Carefully, turn it over & cook the other side too. 

                        Serve with sauce for breakfast, brunch, snack or as a meal with rice.

Arroz Caldo (Filipino style Porridge / Congee)

 

          This is a classic Filipino style comfort food that is a Chinese inspired recipe with a Spanish name. It is a healthy one pot meal that is simply divine, heart warming and is just perfect for a cold wintry night. 

          Garnish as desired with your favorite toppings and enjoy. I served mine with some chopped spring onion, coriander leaves, fried garlic, red chili flakes, boiled egg and a dash of lime. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this soul satisfying yummy porridge / congee. 

           The main ingredients in this recipe are mainly chicken and rice. So it is a perfect blend of the two along with some chicken stock, onion, ginger and garlic.

          Wholesome and nutritious, this porridge is typically served as breakfast for a much needed energy. However, it can also be enjoyed for brunch, snack or as a light dinner, especially when you are sick. 

           This easy to prepare meal can never be so easy, as very few ingredients are required to dish out this amazing and healthy one-pot wonder.

          Typically, glutinous rice is used in this recipe. However, I added some basmati rice as the former was unavailable. You may also make use of small grain rice as an alternative. 

          Finally, I would like to mention that 2 chicken stock cubes can be added along with water as a substitute for chicken stock. 

• 1 cup boneless chicken, cubed
• 1/2 cup rice
• 3 tbsp. oil 
• 1 onion, chopped
• 8-10 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1/4 cup spring onion (white part), chopped
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder or to taste
• 4 cups chicken stock 
• 1 tbsp. spring onion, chopped
• few coriander leaves
• pinch of red chili flakes (opt)
• boiled egg for each serving
• lime wedges

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and fry 3/4 of the chopped garlic till golden brown in colour. Drain and keep aside.

          Heat remaining oil and sauté the ginger, garlic and onion till light brown. Now add the chicken and stir fry for 2-3 minutes on a high flame. 

          Then add the soaked rice and sauté for 2 minutes. Add pepper powder and chicken stock.

         Bring it to a boil and simmer, covered on a low flame till the porridge is thick to a desired consistency. Be sure to stir at intervals.

          When done, spoon in individual bowls and serve, garnished with a boiled egg, fried garlic, chili flakes, spring onion, coriander leaves and a dash of lime. 

                       Heat 1 tbsp. oil & fry 3/4 of the chopped garlic till brown. Keep aside.

                     Heat remaining oil and sauté the ginger, garlic & onion till light brown. 

                                 Add the chicken & stir fry for 2-3 minutes on a high flame. 

                                  Then add the soaked rice and sauté for 2 minutes. 

                                  Add pepper powder 

                      and chicken stock. Bring it to a boil & simmer, covered on a low flame 

                 till the porridge is thick to a desired consistency. Stir the contents at intervals.

                     Spoon in individual bowls & serve, garnished with a boiled egg, fried garlic, 

                     chili flakes, spring onion, coriander leaves & lime wedges. 

Filipino Chicken Adobo Fried Rice

 

           Adobo is a classic Filipino dish that has many variations. It is prepared with chicken, pork or any seafood. Minimum of ingredients are needed for this recipe and is unbelievably very easy and quick to dish out. So any leftover Adobo can be turned into a yummy fried rice, that can be enjoyed as a one-pot comfort meal. This way any leftovers are not wasted. Here I am referring to rice also.

           It is ideal anytime of the day to satiate your hunger pangs. So serve this fried rice on its own or with a fried egg. Do check out the recipe for Chicken Adobo and also the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare the Chicken Adobo Fried Rice.

• 1 cup leftover chicken adobo, shredded
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 2 tbsp. oil + 2 tsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. garlic, chopped
• salt and pepper powder to taste 
• 1-2 tbsp. spring onion, chopped
• 2 egg omelets

         Heat 1 tsp. oil in a pan and make a sunny side up omelet. Sprinkle some salt and pepper powder. Cook for a minute and keep aside. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil and prepare the second omelet the same way. Keep aside.

          Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan and sauté the chopped garlic till light brown. Add the leftover cooked Chicken Adobo and stir fry for a minute.

          Now add the cooked rice, a pinch of salt and pepper powder. Mix everything well and add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

          When done, switch off the flame and garnish with the chopped spring onion. Transfer to a plate and serve along with an omelet for a one-pot comfort meal for brunch, lunch or dinner.

                                  Heat oil in a pan & make 2 omelets sunny side. Keep aside. 

                   

                         Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan & sauté the chopped garlic till light brown. 

                             Add the leftover cooked Chicken Adobo & stir fry for a minute.

                                  Now add the cooked rice.

                             Mix well & add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

                    When done, switch off the flame & garnish with the chopped spring onion. 

                                 Serve along with an omelet for a comfort one-pot meal.

Chicken Adobo Recipe 

Ingredients - 

• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. spring onion, chopped

Marination - 

• 8-10 chicken pieces with bones
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper, coarsely crushed
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp. sugar

          Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and pan fry the marinated chicken till well browned on all sides. Keep aside. 

          Heat remaining oil and sauté the onion and garlic till light brown. Add the leftover marinade (discard the bay leaves) followed by the fried chicken and water. 

          Cover and simmer on a low flame till the chicken is fork tender and the sauce thickens to a desired consistency. Switch off the flame and garnish with chopped spring onion. 

Filipino Chicken Adobo

 

          This Classic Filipino style Chicken dish is unbelievably very easy and quick to make. It is a sort of a stew where the chicken pieces are marinated in soy sauce-vinegar-sugar concoction along with garlic, pepper and bay leaves. It is then pan fried and cooked along with the marinade till it is fork tender. It pairs well with steamed rice as a perfect weekend lunch. So check out a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy and flavorful dish.

          Chicken Adobo is considered as the National Dish of the Philippines. It is a very simple and an hearty stew. It is a savory, sweet and tangy preparation. 

          Try out this recipe when you do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen and you want something quick and simple. 

          It is a one-pot comfort meal that gives you great satisfaction. You need just a handful of ingredients for this recipe. In fact, I am glad that I have discovered this dish as it has become one of my favorite - so simple, delicious and comforting.

Ingredients - 

• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. spring onion, chopped

Marination - 

• 8-10 chicken pieces with bones
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper, coarsely crushed
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp. sugar

          Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and pan fry the marinated chicken till well browned on all sides. Keep aside. 

          Heat remaining oil and sauté the onion and garlic till light brown. Add the leftover marinade (discard the bay leaves) followed by the fried chicken and water. 

          Cover and simmer on a low flame till the chicken is fork tender and the sauce thickens to a desired consistency. 

          Switch off the flame and garnish with chopped spring onion. Serve with rice and a lemon wedge for some extra tang. 

                     Marinate the chicken with the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION,                                     overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

                     Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan & pan fry the marinated chicken till well browned

                     on all sides. Keep aside. 

                           Heat remaining oil and sauté the onion and garlic till light brown. 

                                Add the leftover marinade. However, discard the bay leaves.

                      Then add the fried chicken & water. Cover & simmer till the chicken is 

                      fork tender & the sauce thickens to a desired consistency.

                                  Garnish with chopped spring onion. 

                                 Serve with rice and a lemon wedge for some extra tang. 

Filipino Chicken Adobo Salad

 

          Try out this simple and a hearty Chicken salad al la Filipino style and am sure you will be hooked to it. It is a perfect light dinner with or without any soup. This is a very easy salad recipe that comes in handy when you do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen. It is a one-pot comfort meal that is quite filling and gives you great satisfaction. So check out a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this colorful, sweet & sour Filipino Salad. 

Ingredients - 

• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 100 gms. of lettuce, shredded
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, deseeded & sliced
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped (opt)
• few basil leaves

Marination - 

• 3-4 chicken breast
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 tsp. grated garlic
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. sugar

Dressing - 

• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
• leftover cooked marination
• pinch of salt & pepper or to taste 

          Marinate the chicken breast with all the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

          Heat oil in a pan and pan fry the marinated chicken breast on both sides till done. Let it cool down for a couple of minutes. Then chop / slice them and keep aside. 

          Pour over all the leftover marinade to the pan and simmer on a low flame for 1-2 minutes. 

          To prepare the dressing - In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients (including the cooked marination) and keep aside. 

          In a large serving bowl, take all the veggies and the chopped chicken pieces. Just before serving, pour over the dressing and arrange the sliced chicken over the salad and enjoy.

 

                      Marinate the chicken breast with all the ingredients mentioned under                                                MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

   Heat oil in a pan & pan fry the marinated chicken breast on both sides 

    till done. Cool down for a couple of minutes. Then chop / slice them. 

                       Pour over all the leftover marinade to the pan & simmer on a low flame

                       for 1-2 minutes. 

                    For the dressing - In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients (including 

                    the cooked marination) and keep aside. 

                                 All the sliced / chopped veggies for the salad.

                                  In a large serving bowl, take all the veggies. 

                                   Add the chopped chicken pieces. 

                                 Just before serving, pour over the dressing.

                                  Arrange the sliced chicken over the salad.

                                   ENJOY !!!!!