Ratatouille recipe, a flavorful French vegetable dish made with seasonal produce:
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant (cut into ½-inch rounds)
- 1 zucchini (cut into ½-inch rounds)
- 1 yellow squash (cut into ½-inch rounds)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 large tomatoes (sliced)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional, for added flavor)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme and basil (for seasoning)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar (if using). Season with salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and basil.
- Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Set aside.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the sauce simmers, slice all the vegetables into even rounds (eggplant, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers).
- Lightly season the vegetable slices with salt and pepper.
4. Assemble the Ratatouille:
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the bottom of a baking dish or an ovenproof skillet.
- Arrange the vegetable slices on top of the sauce in an alternating pattern (eggplant, zucchini, squash, bell peppers, tomatoes) in concentric circles or rows.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the arranged vegetables. Sprinkle the fresh thyme, rosemary (if using), and minced garlic over the top.
5. Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the vegetables to caramelize slightly.
6. Garnish and Serve:
- Once the ratatouille is done, drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar (optional) and garnish with fresh basil.
- Serve hot or warm, as a side dish or a light main course, with crusty bread or rice.
Enjoy your Ratatouille, a colorful and healthy Mediterranean dish!
