Relleno Surprise

 Rice 

Cooking is love made visible. - Anonymous

Fridays when godmother Aunt Tessa came to visit after teaching at the elementary school nearby was one of my favorite days of the week.

Why?

Because that was when Mum would create her signature concoction of mouth-watering stuffed relleno eggplant buried in a mound of sinangag (Filipino fried rice) especially for her.

I loved watching Mum put it together. 

I recall how she would first slit the broiled and peeled eggplant lengthwise till it lay flat. On it, she would spread sauteed ground meat, then beaten egg. The top side was fried until it was golden brown.

For me, the wizardry was in the flipping that followed.

It was like a performance. Her face would grow suddenly solemn as she approached the task. With a sandok ladle and large spoon in hand, she'd quickly turn over the fried piece with agility. Assured it was still intact, her face would soften as her mouth turned into a gentle smile.

It was like love. Carried out with abandon. 

When that was done, using drippings in the now-emptied pan, she'd add day-old rice, garlic bits, salt, and pepper for a hefty plate of fried rice. 

The grand finale was the presentation.

Mum would keep her expression neutral, as she first flattened a mound of rice on a plate. Looking sheepish, she'd lay the relleno atop. The final act of unleashing the gourmet in her was accomplished by covering all with an innocent-looking mound of more sinangag. 

So unique! Pretty much copyrighted. She had brought love to the plate and plated like an artist. 

I could picture Aunt Tessa raising her eyebrows in delight every time she unearthed the delicious viand hidden underneath.

Ah! The element of surprise. Like a sorceress, Mum had dispensed happiness and created something magical using the simplest ingredients.