Torta Talong is a divine combination of eggplant and eggs, as well as other toppings of choice. A dish normally enjoyed for breakfast or lunch together with garlic fried rice (YUM!!) in the Philippines, I only first discovered it after moving to Manila for 2 years. Along with various Filipino soups, Torta Talong was by far one of my husband's and my favorite Filipino dishes! And my husband, being a professional Italian chef, is a difficult man to please! It reminds him a lot of a southern Italian eggplant dish... My favorite way to eat it is with finely chopped onion and garlic.
This week is meant to be "Healthy Week" for the Universal Moms, thanks to Helena's dedicated sister who regularly tests and tries our recipes. She gently pointed out that our sinful dishes were potentially causing a slight rise in numbers on the scale and asked if we might consider healthier options for the week. I must admit, it was quite challenging for me to decide what healthy dish to make! This is not to say I don't serve healthy meals... However, nowadays, "healthy eating" can at times be quite confusing!
It was then that I asked myself, what is healthy? Some say "a meatless life is a better one". Some say "only veggies, pulses, nuts and not too much fruit (too much fructose)". Some say "lean meat, fish, veggies and very limited carbs". Some say "gluten-free, dairy-free is best!". Some even say "intermittent fasting - where breakfast is often skipped and loading on healthy fats is good"! So what is the healthiest way to eat?
Personally speaking, and this is purely my own opinion - after having lived in several different countries, 2 of which apparently have the highest life expectancies in the world at the moment - I found quite a few contradictions. Based on Worldometers.info, Hong Kong ranks as no.1 with the highest life expectancy, followed by Japan, along with Switzerland coming in 4th place [1]. If this is in fact accurate, I'm praying this will somehow lean in my favor as I am half-Japanese, half-Swiss and grew up in Hong Kong regularly eating the local food, of which I am a huge fan!
But when I compare the diets of these 3 countries, the diversity between the 3 is extremely broad!
In Hong Kong, they do eat a lot of steamed dishes, but they also eat a lot of stir fried dishes, which calls for considerable amounts of oil.
Japan is famous for having relatively light food - though this has changed over the years, and they do consume some of the fattiest, most delicious beef found worldwide - Kobe or Wagyu beef. And YES! They do eat meat now. In fact, the people from the island of Okinawa are some of the longest living Japanese, and pork is a key component in their diet.
In Switzerland, (together with France and again, this is simply my opinion) they have some of the best cheese and dairy products in the world - not to mention chocolate. Bread and dairy products are very present in their diets. So, after all this - what defines healthy eating?
At the end of the day, I feel the healthiest meals are very simply: meals that are balanced, that include a variety of unprocessed, fresh produce / meat, as well as some carbohydrates, but most importantly, are eaten in SMALLER PORTIONS. More often than not in the west, the portions can often be obscenely huge! This may be the reason why Hong Kong and Japan rank so highly, as in general, for almost every meal of the day they eat, they include a bit of meat or fish, some vegetables / tofu, rice and a soup.
Speaking of soup, Miso soup, which is made from a paste of fermented soy beans, accompanies almost every meal at a Japanese table. It is packed with probiotics aiding in the maintenance of a healthy gut.
And in Hong Kong, locals also place great emphasis on healthy beneficial soups, often including herbs, dried roots, dried seafood or berries that ensure your body's yin and yang are well balanced. Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors will often recommend which soup you should drink based on the overall condition of your body by checking the color of your tongue, your eyes and other aspects that determine if your body is too acidic or too alkaline.
So could eating healthy soups be the key to a longer life?? Thats a whole study on its own that I'd love to eventually research!
In any case, I finally decided to make the Torta Talong, seeing that it includes some very healthy elements, and yet still seems slightly "sinful" as it is cooked in oil - though it is canola oil! So what are the health benefits of this delightful dish?
EGGPLANT:
1) High levels of antioxidants that help protect the body.
2) Thanks to these antioxidants, it may help in the prevention or lowering the risk of heart disease - as it was found to lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
3) Contains many nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, Manganese, folate and potassium amongst others.
4) Thanks to its high fiber and low calorie content, it may be useful in controlling blood sugar levels, as well as weight loss (as they are quite filling, yet contain few calories). [2]
INTERESTING NOTE: As they belong to the nightshade family (along with potatoes), be sure NOT to eat the leaves, as they can cause nausea, vomiting and burning of the throat. [3]
EGG:
The health benefits of eggs are endless! They are considered to be one of the most nutritious foods in the world! I once watched an interview with the oldest living Italian woman - Emma Morano - (who lived to the age of 117), who recently passed in April 2017, and when asked what her secret was, she said that she ate 3 (raw) eggs every single day!
So just to name a few health benefits:
1) They contain loads of vitamins, minerals and good cholesterol.
2) They contain a good amount of choline, that is important for both cell and brain function.
3) Egg yolks contain large amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthin that are extremely beneficial for lowering risks of cataracts and macular degeneration of the eyes. [4]
4) They are high in protein!
ONION & GARLIC:
These two often go hand in hand, but very simply put, these are some of the most healthy foods available! Known for their anti-viral, anti-bacterial, immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties, what's not to love about them - particularly these days!
Does this recipe sound healthy enough?? Fingers crossed Anna will approve! :-)
Alrighty then! Let's get to the actual recipe!
TORTA TALONG RECIPE: Serves 5
INGREDIENTS:
- 5 Japanese eggplants
- 4 eggs (beaten and seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste)
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 small-medium sized onion (finely chopped)
canola oil (or any neutral / flavorless oil for pan-frying)
- Spring onion for garnish - finely chopped (optional)
METHOD:
1) Grill or hold eggplants over an open flame for a few minutes until the skin becomes charred. Place in a ziplock bag for around 5 minutes, until the skin is easy to peel off completely. Keep the cap of the eggplant attached, as that is what will keep it together.
2) Press each peeled eggplant flat with a fork, so that it forms a pear shape.
3) Chop onion and garlic finely.
4) Beat the eggs together with salt and pepper to taste.
5) Add 1/2 to 1 tbsp oil to pan over low-medium heat. Once hot, dip an entire eggplant into the beaten egg, while holding it from its stem and place in the pan. Using a teaspoon, add a bit of chopped onion and garlic onto the uncooked side. Add additional egg on top of the eggplant, and using a spatula, push any egg that has leaked over the side back towards the eggplant.
6) After around 1-2 minutes (the bottom should be slightly browned), flip the eggplant over and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, checking after about 1 minute to ensure it isn't burning.
7) Once evenly cooked on both sides, remove and place on a plate. Top with finely chopped spring onion and enjoy hot! If you don't mind a few carbs, accompany with garlic fried rice!
NOTE: If you're not a fan of the stronger onion and garlic taste, briefly sautée the onion and garlic first until just cooked through, and then remove. Continue to use the same way as mentioned in step 5.
Bon Appetit!
Gastronomically yours,
Pia 💖
References:
[1] https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/life-expectancy/#countries-ranked-by-life-expectancy
[2] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eggplant-benefits
[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279359#risks
[4] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-health-benefits-of-eggs#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7
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