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French Ratatouille

French Ratatouille
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French Ratatouille is a vibrant and healthy vegetable stew made with fresh summer produce like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, simmered with aromatic herbs and olive oil. This classic French dish is flavorful, nutritious, and perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, offering a versatile, comforting yet light meal that highlights the natural taste of each vegetable.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 medium eggplant, sliced into even rounds or chunks
  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into rounds or chunks
  • 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced into rounds or chunks
  • 4 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Oils and Seasonings

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Fresh Herbs

  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Slice the eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers into even rounds or chunks for uniform cooking. Dice the tomatoes and finely chop the onion and garlic to create the flavorful base.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. This forms the aromatic foundation of the dish.
  3. Cook the Vegetables Separately: In the same or separate skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Sauté the eggplant slices until golden and tender, then transfer to a plate. Repeat this process for zucchini and bell peppers, avoiding overcrowding to promote proper caramelization.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the diced tomatoes, fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir and let simmer until tomatoes break down into a rich sauce, approximately 10 minutes. Gently fold in the cooked eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, then let everything meld together on low heat for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Final Touches: Remove bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning as needed, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top for richness, and garnish with fresh basil. Your French Ratatouille is ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use fresh thyme and basil rather than dried herbs for more vibrant flavor.
  • Cooking vegetables separately prevents sogginess and preserves their individual textures.
  • Simmering at the end allows flavors to deepen and meld beautifully.
  • Choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enrich the dish.
  • Season gradually by adding salt bit by bit during cooking to enhance layers of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Ratatouille, vegetable stew, healthy vegetable recipe, summer vegetables, gluten free, vegan, French cuisine

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/french-ratatouille/