Vegetable Dishes
Tortang Talong with Giniling
Smoky eggplant omelets with a modest pork filling, pan-fried until set without becoming greasy.

Prep20 minutes
Cook25 minutes
Serves4
LevelMedium
Tortang talong turns inexpensive eggplant into a complete ulam. Charring the skin gives the familiar smoky taste, while cooking the filling until dry prevents the omelet from breaking during the flip.
Ingredients
- 4 medium Asian eggplants
- 4 large eggs
- 200 g ground pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Cooking oil as needed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to cook it
- Grill or broil the eggplants, turning until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft. Cool slightly, peel carefully and keep the stems attached.
- Cook ground pork in a pan. Add onion, garlic and tomato; cook until the pork is fully done and excess liquid evaporates. Season with soy sauce and pepper.
- Beat eggs in a shallow bowl with a pinch of salt. Flatten each peeled eggplant gently with a fork.
- Dip one eggplant in egg and place it in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Spoon some giniling over the surface and drizzle a little more egg on top.
- Cook until the bottom is golden and the egg is mostly set. Turn carefully with a wide spatula and cook the other side.
- Repeat with remaining eggplants, adding only enough oil to prevent sticking.
Why this method works
A medium flame sets the egg without burning before the center cooks. Using a wide spatula and keeping the stem attached makes each omelet easier to handle.
Practical kitchen tips
- For a meatless version, replace pork with chopped mushrooms or simply omit it.
- Eggplants may be grilled a day ahead and refrigerated after peeling.
- Drain oily cooked pork before adding it to the omelet.
How to serve
Serve with rice and banana ketchup, or with a calamansi-soy dipping sauce. A cucumber and tomato side keeps the meal fresh.
Recipe tested and reviewed by Sarap Recipe Editorial. Taste and cooking time may vary with ingredient size, stove heat and product brand.