Description
Provençal classic Ratatouille brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate, blending zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes in a rustic French harmony. Simmered with herbs and olive oil, this vegetable medley promises a delicious journey through southern France’s culinary landscape.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 medium eggplants, cubed
- 3 zucchinis, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 large onion, sliced
Fresh Herbs and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Cooking Components:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a large baking dish with a light olive oil coating.
- Sauté onions in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Separately roast eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers in batches, ensuring each vegetable caramelizes slightly and develops rich color.
- Combine roasted vegetables with sautéed onion and garlic mixture in the prepared baking dish.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and vegetable broth, creating a vibrant and cohesive base.
- Sprinkle fresh thyme, basil, and parsley evenly across the vegetable mixture.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring balanced flavor distribution.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing vegetables to meld and soften.
- Remove foil during the last 15 minutes of cooking to encourage slight caramelization and concentrated flavors.
- Let the ratatouille rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow flavors to settle and intensify.
- Serve warm as a side dish or main course, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
- Roast vegetables separately to prevent moisture accumulation and achieve optimal caramelization.
- Use high-quality, ripe seasonal vegetables for maximum flavor and textural complexity.
- Consider adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for extra depth and dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg