Want to eat meatless dish this time? I think this recipe is for you specially if one of your favorite Filipino dish is bistek. But just to remind you, this will not taste as good as the beef bistek which is made from beef slices. This recipe is a vegetable dish using an eggplant as a substitute for meat. You can also eat this as a side dish on your main course if you are not fond of eating vegetables as main dish.
Savoring a Twist: Bistek na Talong Recipe
If you’re looking to add a meatless twist to your Filipino culinary adventures, Bistek na Talong is a delightful choice. This dish creatively replaces the traditional beef slices with eggplant, offering a unique and tasty alternative. While it may not replicate the exact flavors of beef bistek, it stands out on its own as a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option. In this recipe blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to prepare this delectable Bistek na Talong, perfect for those seeking a break from meat-centric meals.
Prepping the Star Ingredient: Eggplant Slicing
Begin the culinary journey by preparing the eggplant. Slice it into three parts and then halve each section, creating manageable pieces for cooking. Alternatively, you can customize the shape and size of the slices based on your preference. The versatility of eggplant makes it an ideal candidate for absorbing the savory flavors of the dish, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
Crafting the Soy Sauce Infusion: A Flavorful Blend
The heart of any bistek dish lies in the rich soy sauce infusion. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, water, oyster sauce, liquid seasoning, calamansi juice, sugar, and pepper. Stir the ingredients until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. This sauce will be the key to infusing the eggplant with the distinctive taste that defines bistek dishes.
Onion Magic: Rings and Layers
Slice onions into rings, ensuring to separate each layer. Set aside the larger rings for later use and reserve the smaller ones for sautéing. This strategic division of onions adds layers of texture and flavor to the dish, contributing to its overall appeal.
Sautéing Onions: A Fragrant Prelude
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan and lightly fry the larger onion rings for about a minute. This step adds a savory touch to the onions, enhancing their natural sweetness. Set aside the fried onion rings, as they will be reintroduced later to provide a delightful crunch to the finished dish.
Eggplant Elegance: Frying to Perfection
In the same pan, add more oil and fry the sliced eggplants until they become soft and acquire a tempting golden-brown color. Once fried to perfection, place the eggplants in a strainer to drain any excess oil. This ensures that the dish maintains a balanced and appealing texture. Set aside the beautifully fried eggplants, ready to take center stage in the bistek na talong masterpiece.
Building Flavor Layers: Sautéing Onions and Garlic
In a wok, heat a small amount of oil and sauté the smaller onion rings along with garlic until a fragrant aroma fills the air. This aromatic blend serves as the foundation for the dish, infusing every bite with a delightful medley of flavors.
Soy Sauce Symphony: Bringing it to a Boil
Pour the previously prepared soy sauce mixture into the wok and bring it to a gentle boil. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, calamansi juice, and other seasonings creates a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Thickening the Sauce: Cornstarch Elegance
To achieve the desired consistency, add a cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, creating a luscious coating for the eggplants. This step is crucial for ensuring that every bite is coated in a flavorful and velvety sauce.
Assembly and Final Flourish: Bringing it All Together
Add the fried eggplants to the wok, stirring for a minute to allow them to absorb the rich flavors of the sauce. Introduce the fried onion rings back into the mix, stirring for a few seconds to maintain their crispiness. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Serve and Enjoy: Bistek na Talong Perfection
Once everything is combined and cooked to perfection, serve your Bistek na Talong hot alongside a bed of cooked rice. The marriage of savory soy sauce, perfectly fried eggplants, and the crunchy delight of onion rings creates a dish that is not only visually appealing but also a true culinary delight.
Bistek na Talong offers a delightful twist to the classic bistek recipe, providing a flavorful and satisfying alternative for those looking to explore meatless options. With its rich soy sauce infusion, perfectly fried eggplants, and the added crunch of sautéed onions, this dish is a celebration of textures and tastes. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to diversify your culinary repertoire, give Bistek na Talong a try and embark on a flavorful journey that pays homage to the beloved Filipino bistek tradition.
How to Cook Bistek na Talong
Ingredients
- 5 pcs eggplants sliced
- 1 pc large white onion
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp. liquid sesasoning
- 1 Tbsp. calamansi juice or lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. black or white pepper powder
- cornstarch slurry (1 Tbsp. cornstarch mix with 2 Tbsp. water)
Instructions
How to Cook Bistek na Talong:
- Slice the eggplant into 3 parts then halve each section of the eggplant. Or you can slice is on your desired shape and sizes.
- Mix the soy sauce ingredients in a small bowl: soy sauce, water, oyster sauce, liquid seasoning, calamansi juice, sugar and pepper. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Slice the onions into rings and separate each layers. Take the large onion rings and set aside. Get the small ones for sauteing.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan. Fry the onion ring lightly for a minute and set aside.
- In the same pan, add more oil and Fry the eggplants until soft and brown. Put in a strainer and let is drain. Set aside.
- In a wok, heat a small amount of oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Pour the soy sauce mixture and bring to a boil.
- Add in the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens. Add in the fried eggplants and stir for a minute. Then add in the onion rings and stir for a for a few seconds.
- Serve hot with cooked rice.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips of Bistek na Talong:
1. Optimal Eggplant Slicing: The key to achieving the perfect texture in your Bistek na Talong lies in the way you slice the eggplants. Aim for uniformity to ensure even cooking throughout. Whether you choose to slice them into thirds or customize the shapes based on your preference, consistency is crucial. This not only promotes even cooking but also allows the eggplants to absorb the soy sauce infusion more effectively, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every bite. 2. Flavorful Soy Sauce Fusion: Elevate the taste of your Bistek na Talong by paying attention to the soy sauce mixture. After combining soy sauce, water, oyster sauce, liquid seasoning, calamansi juice, sugar, and pepper, don't rush to use it immediately. Instead, allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes. This short resting period allows the ingredients to mingle and develop a well-balanced and rich flavor profile. The soy sauce infusion becomes more pronounced, ensuring that each piece of eggplant is thoroughly coated in a delicious blend of seasonings. 3. Crispy Onion Mastery: The fried onion rings in Bistek na Talong contribute a delightful crunch to the dish. To preserve their crispiness, it's essential to handle them strategically. After lightly frying the larger onion rings for about a minute, set them aside. Reintroduce these crispy delights just before serving. This method ensures that the onion rings maintain their texture, adding a satisfying contrast to the tender, soy-infused eggplants. The result is a dish with a dynamic interplay of textures, keeping your taste buds engaged from the first bite to the last.Nutrition Notes:
Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.Nutrition Facts:
Amount per Serving:359g, Calories: 109kcal, From fat:5, Total fat:0.6g, Saturated Fat:0.1g, Trans Fat:0g, Cholesterol:0mg, Sodium:1052mg Total Carbohydrate: 24g, Dietary Fiber: 8g, Sugars: 13g, Protein: 4g, Vitamin A: 1%, Vitamin C: 17%, Calcium: 5%, Iron: 6%
