[ Tortang Itlog at Patatas ]

The current “resurrection edition” of the monthly Lasang Pinoy Food Blogging event tackles egg as the secret ingredient.

Like in many other parts of the world, breakfast in the Philippines is never complete without eggs. The egg is often fried, and eaten with garlic fried rice and a meat or fish viand.

The “tapsilog” is a perfect example. Tapsilog is the abbreviation for “tapa-sinangag-itlog,” a popular Pinoy breakfast fare. It pertains to tapa (dried meat of beef), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (fried egg). Other variations of the “silog” breakfast includes “tosilog” and “longsilog” with “tocino” (cured sweet pork) or “longaniza” (local pork sausage) respectively, as mandatory accompaniments to the garlic fried rice and fried eggs.

To eat the “silog” breakfast, the fried egg (usually sunny side up style - and I like mine over easy) is placed over freshly fried garlic rice, broken with a spoon and fork and mixed with the rice until the grains take on the yellow colour of the yolk. A “sawsawan” (condiment), usually of vinegar with crushed garlic and chilies is used to add zing to the meat.

Pinoys (Filipinos), as innovative as they are, may also serve with “silog” breakfast - spam (luncheon meat), corned beef, or leftovers like “adobo” and others depending on what is readily available.

Apart from frying eggs “sunny side up” style for breakfast, Filipinos have found other ways of preparing and cooking this eggs-tra versatile ingredient.

So, when the theme was being decided, memories of my childhood started flooding in once again. Childhood memories that are and will always be associated with food. And my fondest memories of breakfasts then would be my mother’s “Tortang Itlog at Patatas” (Egg and Potato Omelet).

TORTANG ITLOG AT PATATAS

The torta (omelet) is one of the many Pinoy dishes which use egg as a major binding ingredient, and also one of the easiest to prepare.

To make this torta, fry sliced (in strips a la French fries) potatoes in oil until tender but not too soft and mushy. Set aside to drain oil.

Beat eggs in a bowl and season with salt and freshly gound black pepper. Heat oil in a shallow frying pan and pour in beaten eggs. Spread the mixture evenly on pan and continue to fry until it starts to set. Arrange potato strips on the mixture and fold egg as you would an omelet. Fry until the torta is light golden brown. Slice torta and serve with garlic fried rice.

I remember back then, my mother’s “tortang itlog at patatas” would normally be accompanied with Jufran banana or tomato ketchup as sawsawan, “tuyo” (salted fish) and fresh sliced tomatoes or “ginisang sardinas” and “pancit bihon guisado” if there was no garlic fried rice.

What is Lasang Pinoy?

Lasang Pinoy, which could mean ‘tastes of something Filipino’ or short for ‘the Filipino taste’ is a monthly food blogging event to promote Filipino food. It is a product of e-mail brainstorming sessions of several Filipino food bloggers who thought it was time for a Filipino event in the tradition of Is My Blog Burning. The blogger organisers of Lasang Pinoy and participants strive to make the events reflective of Filipino culture.

So, to all Pinoy foodies and lovers of Pinoy food, please feel free join us in the next round!

Lasang Pinoy 17