Ratatouille

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Recipe

This very simple, end-of-summer stew is light, aromatic, and delicious. It comes originally from Provence in France, and until recently, it was considered peasant food. Other cuisines adopted this dish and created their versions with ethnic spices and flavors. You can find ratatouille on the menu in fancy restaurants, or you can make your own and feed several people for the price of a cup of it in a restaurant.

The key to this recipe is fresh ingredients that come either from your garden, from the farmer's market or organic ones from the grocery store. Ripe and juicy tomatoes, flavorful garlic, and fresh herbs make this dish rich in taste without spending a fortune.

Ingredients:

  • 1 TB ghee, butter, or avocado oil

  • 1 sweet onion, chopped

  • 2 medium zucchini, cut into cubes

  • 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes

  • 1 red or orange bell pepper, chopped into medium pieces (about 1/3 inch size)

  • 4 large tomatoes, chopped (I like to take the skin off first)

  • 1 TB of tomato paste

  • 2 TB of fresh thyme, chopped

  • 3 TB of fresh basil, chopped

  • 2 or more garlic cloves, crushed

  • 1 bay leave

  • Sea or Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

  • Olive oil

  • Splash of red wine (optional)

  • Optional: parmesan cheese, feta cheese, garlic bread.

 Method:

  1. In a medium-size pot, heat the ghee and add onions and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes.

  2. Add zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Cook stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper.

  3. Add wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, and bay lives. Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until tomatoes soft broken down and the flavors are combined.

  4. Remove from heat. Stir in olive oil and basil.

  5. Optional: top with parmesan or feta cheese and have it with garlic bread on the side.

This stew tastes good hot or cold (I like it the room temperature) . It stores well for up to 3 days. It becomes even more flavorful on the second or third day.

 

Health facts:

·      High content of antioxidants: vitamin C, A, B, lycopene, lutein,

·      Rich in potassium, sodium, copper

·      Great source of fiber

·      GF, dairy free, vegetarian, allergy friendly