How to Make Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelette)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). With the tip of a sharp knife, poke four 1/2-inch slits in each eggplant. Place eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and roast until fully tender, offering little to no resistance when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Vicky Wasik Peel eggplant, leaving stems attached; discard skin. With the back of a fork, press down firmly to flatten each eggplant along its length until it resembles a large teardrop in shape; set aside. Vicky Wasik In a 12-inch stainless steel, cast iron, or nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground pork and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up any large pieces, until cooked through and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add oyster sauce, fish sauce, and soy sauce and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat, and set aside to let cool slightly. Vicky Wasik In a medium bowl, beat 3 eggs until homogenous and frothy. Add ground pork mixture and stir to combine; set aside. In a wide, shallow dish, beat remaining 2 eggs until homogenous and frothy, season with salt and pepper, and set aside. Clean skillet and return to stovetop. Vicky Wasik Adjust oven temperature to 200°F (95°C). Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and line with a double layer of paper towels. In the cleaned skillet, heat 3/4 cup (175ml) vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working with one eggplant at a time, hold eggplant by stem, and evenly coat on all sides with beaten egg mixture. Allow excess egg to drip off, and carefully add to skillet. Repeat coating process with second eggplant and add to skillet. Top each eggplant with a heaping 1/4 cup (60g) of ground pork mixture, evenly pressing mixture down along the length of each eggplant to ensure it adheres to the surface. Cook, shaking pan occasionally, until bottom side is golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, carefully flip eggplant and continue to cook until golden brown on second side, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Vicky Wasik Transfer eggplant to prepared baking sheet, then transfer to oven to keep warm. Repeat coating and cooking process with remaining eggplant, adding more oil to skillet as needed. Vicky Wasik Transfer to individual plates and serve immediately with white rice and ketchup. Vicky Wasik