Ensaladang Talong to Pair With Fried Food

Name: Ensaladang Talong to Pair With Fried Food
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 6 pcs large eggplants, washed; 1 cup diced and deseeded tomatoes; 1 pc red onion, diced; 1/4 cup vinegar; 1 tbsp Knorr Liquid Seasoning; 1 tbsp brown sugar; a pinch of black pepper

Ensaladang talong is a salad of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and onions drizzled with a bright, tangy dressing. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is – but the flavor it packs is far from it. You get smokiness from the eggplants, sweetness from the tomatoes, and mild spice from the raw red onions. The sour-savory dressing ties everything together and makes it perfect for fried or grilled mains.

This salad is also a winner for those who love textures. Besides the juicy tomatoes and crisp onions, you get silky, buttery eggplant flesh – altogether, they refresh the palate between bites. Is your mouth watering? Here’s how to make ensaladang talong in 20 minutes.

20 min.
5 People
Easy
Budget

Ingredients

6 pcs large eggplants, washed
1 cup diced and deseeded tomatoes
1 pc red onion, diced
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tbsp Knorr Liquid Seasoning
1 tbsp brown sugar
a pinch of black pepper

Cooking Method

Grill eggplants over hot coals or an open-flame stove until the skins are charred. Alternatively, you can also boil them until tender. Peel off the skin and chop eggplants into small pieces.
Combine eggplant, tomatoes, and onions in a bowl. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine vinegar, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, sugar, and pepper. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over the eggplant salad; toss to combine. Serve immediately.

This recipe is a simplified version of ensaladang talong. If you can spare a few extra minutes for prep, try the butterfly method for a more visually impressive dish. You’ll need to slice the cooled eggplants down the center, leaving the charred skin to function as a bowl. Then, top with your chopped tomatoes, onions, and prepared dressing. Besides those mix-ins, you can also add ripe mangoes, chilies, and cucumbers. Some like their ensaladang talong with salted egg for more umami, while others achieve that with a side of bagoong. See what you like!