Authentic Filipino Tocilog Recipe: A Flavorful Breakfast Delight

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of Jasmine rice
  • 6 pieces of tocino (preferably homemade or store-bought Filipino tocino)
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 6 eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vinegar (optional for dipping)
  • 1 bunch of fresh tomatoes, sliced (for garnish)
  • 1 cucumber, sliced (for garnish)

Steps and instructions

  1. Rinse Jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook rice in a rice cooker or stovetop as per package instructions and set aside.
  2. While rice is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.
  3. Add the garlic to the pan, stirring continuously until golden brown. Once browned, remove half of the fried garlic and set aside for garnish.
  4. Add the tocino to the pan with the remaining fried garlic. Cook the tocino until it is caramelized and fully cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
  5. In the same pan, cook the eggs to your desired level. For a traditional Tocilog, eggs are commonly cooked sunny-side-up. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Plate the cooked rice, tocino, and eggs. Garnish the plate with the fried garlic, fresh tomatoes, and cucumber.
  7. Serve hot, optionally with a side of vinegar for dipping the tocino.

Tools for making

  • Rice Cooker - Used to cook the Jasmine rice.
  • Large Pan - Used to fry the tocino and garlic.
  • Spatula - Used for stirring and flipping the tocino.
  • Knife - Used for mincing the garlic and slicing the tomatoes and cucumber for garnish.
  • Cutting Board - Used as a surface for cutting and prepping ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups - Used to measure the amount of rice and oil.
  • Measuring Spoons - Used to measure the amount of minced garlic.
  • Plate - Used for plating the cooked rice, tocino, and eggs.

Recipe variations

  • Use a different type of rice such as Basmati or brown rice instead of Jasmine rice.
  • Replace the tocino with other Filipino breakfast meats like longganisa or tapa.
  • For a vegetarian option, substitute the tocino with tofu or tempeh marinated in a sweet and savory sauce.
  • Add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or green beans to the stir-fry for extra flavor and texture.
  • Experiment with different seasonings and spices such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or chili flakes to customize the flavor.
  • Serve the Tocilog with a side of pickled vegetables like atchara or achara for a tangy contrast.
  • For a healthier twist, use olive oil instead of vegetable oil and opt for egg whites or scrambled tofu instead of sunny-side-up eggs.
  • Try incorporating pineapple chunks into the stir-fry for a sweet and tangy twist.

Recipe overview

Tocilog is a popular Filipino breakfast dish known for its unique combination of sweet tocino (cured pork), garlic-flavored rice, and fried eggs. The name "Tocilog" is a portmanteau of the words tocino, sinangag (garlic rice), and itlog (egg). This hearty meal is perfect for starting your day, offering a robust blend of flavors and textures that will keep you satisfied for a long time. Expect a delightful interplay of sweet, salty, and savory flavors with each bite you take. The dish is typically garnished with fresh tomatoes and cucumber, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich taste. For those who like an extra kick of flavor, a side of vinegar can be used for dipping the tocino. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions on how to bring this beloved traditional dish to your own kitchen. Enjoy the process of cooking and the delectable result.

Common questions

  1. Can I use a different type of rice? Yes, you can use a different type of rice if you prefer. However, Jasmine rice is the traditional choice for Tocilog and gives it a distinct flavor.
  2. Can I use a different meat instead of tocino? While the traditional Tocilog recipe calls for tocino, you can substitute it with other Filipino breakfast meats like longganisa or tapa if desired.
  3. Can I use pre-cooked rice? Yes, if you have pre-cooked rice on hand, you can use it instead of cooking the rice from scratch. Simply reheat the rice before serving.
  4. Can I make tocino at home? Yes, you can make homemade tocino. There are various recipes available online that guide you through the process of marinating and curing the meat to make your own tocino.
  5. Can I add other vegetables to the dish? Absolutely! Tocilog is a versatile dish, and you can add other vegetables like sautéed onions, bell peppers, or green beans for added flavor and nutrition.
  6. Is the vinegar for dipping necessary? No, the vinegar for dipping is optional. It adds a tangy flavor that complements the dish, but you can enjoy Tocilog without it.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large Pan - A large pan is needed to cook the tocino and garlic.
  • Rice Cooker or Stovetop - A rice cooker or stovetop is required to cook the Jasmine rice.
  • Spatula or Tongs - Spatula or tongs are helpful for flipping and handling the tocino while cooking.
  • Knife - A knife is needed to mince the garlic and slice the fresh tomatoes and cucumber for garnish.
  • Cutting Board - A cutting board is necessary for chopping and slicing ingredients.
  • Serving Plates - Plates are required to serve the cooked rice, tocino, and eggs.
  • Bowls - Bowls can be used to hold the fried garlic and other garnishes.
  • Optional: Vinegar Bowl or Dip Dish - If you choose to serve with vinegar for dipping the tocino, a separate bowl or dip dish can be used.

Origin stories

Tocilog, a popular Filipino breakfast meal, is a portmanteau of its key components: tocino, sinangag, and itlog. Tocino is the Filipino term for bacon, though it is typically made from pork shoulder, belly, or ham and is cured for several days before cooking. Sinangag is garlic fried rice, a staple in many Filipino households, and Itlog is the Filipino word for egg. Tocilog is a beloved comfort food in the Philippines, seen as a hearty way to start the day, and it encapsulates the Filipino love for combinations and acronyms. It's one of the many "silog" meals in Filipino cuisine, where variations on the protein component lead to creative breakfast offerings, all served with the ubiquitous sinangag and itlog.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.