I don't know if I love this sauce because it's got zucchini in it or because I love saying it's name : ratatouille (rah-tuh-TOO-ee). But whatever the reason, it is a favorite. Ratatouille is a traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish which can be served as a meal on its own, with rice, bread or potatoes or as a side dish, hot or cold. It is tomato-based and usually consists of eggplant, garlic, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, flavored with oregano, thyme, rosemary and basil.
Our family likes to serve this dish with pasta. Poured over penne or spaghetti, with some crusty bread to wipe up the sauce with. But I've found that it is also perfect with grilled fish. Once, I served it as bruschetta for appetizers which turned out to be a big hit. The best thing about this sauce is it's wonderful hot or cold.
Of course, there are tons of ratatouille recipes out there, but this is the only one I've ever known and one I am very happy with.My dream is to one day pick the ingredients I need for a good ratatouille from my own garden. :)
Ratatouille
EVOO
4 pcs zucchini, chopped
6 pcs eggplant, chopped
1 small can pimiento, chopped
2 – 2 ½ cups basic tomato sauce (recipe below)
Salt & pepper to taste
Saute zucchini in olive oil until golden brown and set aside.
Saute the eggplant in olive oil until golden brown and set aside.
Using the same pan, pour in the basic tomato sauce, add the zucchini, eggplant, and sliced pimiento and cook on medium heat. If you feel it's a bit acidic, add a little sugar.
Basic tomato sauce:
½ cup minced garlic
½ cup olive oil
½ cup herbs (2 part basil, 1 oregano, 1 thyme)
½ cup parsley
1 can whole tomatoes (largest can)
1 beef broth cube
1 ½ - 2 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1 cup water, if needed
You may reduce the tomato sauce to 1 1/2 cups if you like it less saucy.
7 comments:
Hmmm sarap! I do love ratatouille and make them a lot especially in the winter months. There's different variations and I'd like to try your recipe this week as it is different from mine. I don't make the sauce separately but rather incorporate the large chunks of fresh and canned tomatoes with the veges. Your picture makes it look so masarap and am getting more hungry now. *-*
Hi elna! I'm curious about your recipe. Let me know how you like this one. :)
Here, here...I agree with that statement about picking the ingredients from your own garden. I've only been digging weeds this year, cross my fingers the next!
Thanks for the comment on Mads in Paris. You'll have to post a pic of Rusty somewhere in an upcoming post!
hi i stumbled upon your blog. lovely pics you have here :) i'm a foodie myself and its great to know likeminded people out there. take care!
Hi Rowena, I've posted about Rusty before. You can read about him here: http://gypsysoul73.blogspot.com/2006/05/meet-rusty.html but I'm sure I'll be putting up pictures of him every so often. :)
Thank you, Evan! I love meeting fellow foodies myself. I'm glad you dropped by. :)
I did try your recipe today and it was excellent! A real keeper. Thanks!
You're welcome, glad you liked it. :)
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