Ratatouille

Name: Ratatouille
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H15M0.000S
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Cuisine: french
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons good-quality olive oil, plus more as needed; 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 yellow pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 sprigs fresh parsley; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 bay leaf; 1 tomato, skinned (see Cook's Note), seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces; Salt and pepper; 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves cut into chiffonade, for garnish

Getting reviews...

This dish originated in the south of France--Nice to be precise--so it is no surprise that it uses so many of the vegetables that are plentiful in this warm, hospitable growing climate. A number of chefs have their own take on how ratatouille should be cooked and presented. I favor a more rustic presentation. Cooking the vegetables separately is worth the extra time to ensure that they all are cooked just right. However, once cooked, I like to combine all the vegetables and serve the ratatouille simply with some fresh basil.

Level: Easy

Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 1 hr

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Level: Easy

Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 1 hr

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons good-quality olive oil, plus more as needed

1 small zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 yellow pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 sprigs fresh parsley

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1 tomato, skinned (see Cook's Note), seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Salt and pepper

1 bunch fresh basil, leaves cut into chiffonade, for garnish

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and cook until just starting to soften, 5 to 7 minutes; using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the eggplant, and then the red and yellow peppers (the peppers can be cooked together), adding more olive oil in between if the skillet seems dry. Set the vegetables aside.
In the same pan, saute the onions until just starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sauteed vegetables back to the pan as well as the tomato paste, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir to coat all the vegetables with the tomato paste. Cover and cook over low heat until the tomatoes have softened and the flavors have had a chance to meld, about 15 minutes. Taste the ratatouille and add salt or pepper as needed.
Remove and discard the bay leaf and the parsley and thyme sprigs. Sprinkle with the basil. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Note

To skin a tomato, score an "x" in the bottom of a tomato, then place in a pot of simmering water until you start to see the skin pull away at the edges, 20 to 40 seconds. Transfer the tomato to a bowl of ice water. You should be able to pull the skin off easily.