Ratatouille is a classic French Provençal dish that features a variety of fresh vegetables cooked together in a rich, flavorful sauce. It’s a versatile and vibrant dish that can be served as a side or a main course. Here's a traditional recipe for ratatouille:
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant, diced
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large tomatoes, diced (or 1 can of diced tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
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Prepare Vegetables: Begin by preparing all the vegetables. Dice the eggplant, slice the zucchini, chop the bell peppers and onion, and mince the garlic. Dice the tomatoes or drain the canned tomatoes.
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Sauté Vegetables Separately: In a large pan, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the eggplant first, cooking until it’s golden brown and softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat this process with the zucchini, bell peppers, and onion, cooking each vegetable separately until lightly browned and softened, adding more oil as needed.
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Cook Garlic: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
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Combine Vegetables: Return all the sautéed vegetables to the pan. Add the diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) and stir to combine. Season with dried thyme, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
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Simmer: Lower the heat, cover the pan, and let the ratatouille simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally and cook until all the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
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Adjust Seasoning: Taste the ratatouille and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
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Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving. Ratatouille can be served hot, warm, or even at room temperature.
Tips:
- Layering Method: If you prefer a more visually striking ratatouille (similar to the version in the famous animated movie), you can layer the sliced vegetables in a casserole dish, drizzle with olive oil and herbs, cover with foil, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-50 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Ratatouille often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. It can be made ahead and reheated when needed.
- Serving Ideas: Serve ratatouille with crusty bread, over rice, pasta, or quinoa, or as a side to grilled meats or fish. It’s also delicious with a sprinkle of cheese like Parmesan or goat cheese.
Enjoy your ratatouille—a dish full of Mediterranean flavors and colorful vegetables!
