Ratatouille is a classic French dish that’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant vegetables. This hearty, healthy dish is filled with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, all simmered together with aromatic herbs. It’s perfect as a side dish or even as a main course when paired with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Packed with Veggies: A colorful mix of eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers makes this dish both nutritious and full of flavor.
- Savory and Herby: The blend of thyme, oregano, and garlic infuses the vegetables with a deliciously fragrant depth of flavor.
- Simple and Quick: Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, making it a great choice for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 eggplant, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic to the pan. Sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
- Add the diced eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Simmer and Infuse Flavors
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the pan and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are fully tender and the flavors have melded together.
Step 4: Serve
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Tips:
- Use Fresh Herbs: If you have fresh thyme and oregano, feel free to use them instead of dried for an even fresher flavor.
- Customize the Vegetables: Ratatouille is very versatile. You can add or swap out other veggies like tomatoes, carrots, or even squash for variation.
- Make it a Meal: Serve this ratatouille over quinoa, couscous, or pasta for a full meal, or pair it with grilled meats or fish.
Conclusion:
This Vegetable Ratatouille is a wonderful, healthy dish that captures the flavors of summer with its simple ingredients and fragrant herbs. Whether as a side dish or a main course, it’s sure to impress with its fresh taste and vibrant colors!
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Vegetable Ratatouille
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A colorful and hearty vegetable stew, Vegetable Ratatouille is a perfect dish for summer. With tender eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, this classic French recipe is full of flavor and easy to prepare. Garnished with fresh basil, it’s the perfect side or main dish for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the vegetables are fully tender and the flavors are well combined.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- You can serve this as a side dish with grilled meat or as a vegetarian main dish.
- If you want a richer flavor, you can drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over the dish before serving.
- Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on what’s in season or your personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes