Classic Ratatouille


Ratatouille(pronounced RAT-EH-TOO-EY and literally meaning "Chunky stew to stir") is a Classic French-Provençal dish with earthy flavors of abundantly fresh veggies.Dated back to 18th century France,the dish was poor farmer's nutrient rich meal.

I was introduced to this vintage recipe from the Disney-Pixar's Comedy "Ratatouille".The vibrant recipe at smitten kitchen inspired by the Movie itself was very impressive ,then I was thinking an easier method like the chop and toss method used in the Ratatouille pasta.

A really good ratatouille is not one of the quicker dishes to make,as each element is cooked separately before it is arranged in the casserole to partake of a brief communal simmer.This recipe is the only one we know of which produces a ratatouille in which each vegetable retains its own shape and character.~ Julia Child
More recently while browsing through Master Chef Julia Child's Classics found really good ratatouille recipe that undoubtedly seemed the best to bring out the flavors for an ultimate,delicate and crisp ratatouille.

The recipe here is adapted from both the tried and tasted recipes.One can layer vegetables,alternating or just top one layer of vegetable over the other.More importantly use fresh ingredients and avoid any canned vegetables for a flavorsome ratatouille.


Serves 3-4
Ingredients
2 medium Italian or Japanese eggplants or 4 medium Indian eggplants,thinly sliced(with Skin on))
2 yellow squash,thinly sliced
2 Zucchini,thinly sliced
1 small red ,green or yellow Bell pepper,seeded and sliced
2 cloves Garlic,chopped
2 medium Vine Ripe tomatoes,sliced
4 medium ripe red tomatoes,steamed,peeled,seeded and juiced
Few springs fresh herbs,basil or flat leaf parsley,chopped
1 teaspoon black pepper,freshly ground
2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method
In large mixing bowl,toss all the sliced vegetables(eggplant,zucchini and squash) with a teaspoon of salt ,let sit for 15-20 minutes.
In a large pan heat the oil on medium-high heat.Saute the salted vegetables in a single layer ,about a minute on each side until slightly brown.Keep aside.
In the same pan,add the onions and saute onions about 3-4 minutes ,add the garlic and saute another minute before adding the peppers.Cook another 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
Add the tomato pulp ,cover and cook until juice has mostly evaporated.Season with salt and pepper.

In a baking dish or casserole spread 1/3th of the prepared tomato sauce,arrange the sliced of sauteed vegetable and the extra tomato slices in a single or double layer with sauce in between.Sprinkle the herbs and top any remaining tomato sauce.
Cover and simmer on stove top on medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes or bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.Slightly cool.To serve,spread a little sauce leftover in the dish on to the serving plate,place the cooked vegetables and garnish with fresh herbs ,enjoy along side a crusty bread or a bowl of brown rice.Tastes better the next day,gently reheat before serving.

Shot in the setting sun,the click was a pleasant surprise for me.Nabeel was particularly amused by its name for it reminded him of the amuses of the Rat Chef Remy. Mr.HealthNut on the other hand was delighted over the simplicity and flavors in the dish using the plain old baigan and tamatar.

This is now off to two wonderful events paired together - Click and Meeta's Monthly mingle : Heirloom.

bon appétit!

Comments

Malar Gandhi said…
Hi Yasmeen, howz things at ur end buddy, I am good.

Who can make these eggplants so appealing than you...what a wonderful creation(as usual). Superb clicks!:)
Shri said…
Lovely dish,Yasmeen:)Just delicious
Shaista Tabrez said…
oh, i m yet to watch that movie on julia child and buy that book from her...till then will enjoy the recreations on your blog...
snap is superb with fantastic presentation
Priya Suresh said…
Fabulous and gorgeous entry, last pic looks fantastic Yas!
Nithya said…
Looks so yummy.. Fantastic dish :)
That is a dish I love! Your version looks so gorgeous! A beautiful dish!

Cheers,

Rosa
Danielle said…
wow this is beautiful =)
It looks liek the one from the movie! (the one with the rat, haha)
Although this looks great, I think I'll stick with my method - take whatever veggies I have on hand, as long as one of them is tomatoes, throw them into a pot with some sauteed onions, cover and cook until it's all melted together. But, maybe I'll try this method one day when I'm feeling more adventurous =)
mona said…
Yasmeen, those sliced vegetables arranged in rows look immensely delectable.
One question: do you cover the baking dish when you bake it?
Jazakallahu Khair for sharing the recipe.
Mythreyi Dilip said…
Excellent clicks and mouth watering recipe!
Thats one gourmet food dearie.. Looks awesome..
chakhlere said…
that looks so yummy!!! My little niece is fan of Ratatouille.
Will make this for her. Thanks for sharing!!
Looks fabulous. Amazing how enticing vegetables can be.
Sarah Naveen said…
Wow!!! Fabulous click ...it looks so gorgeous!!!
Arabic Bites said…
Wow Yasmeen...that looks so good.
I made something similar last week and it was so yummy.
The nice thing is the whole family loves it!
Great pics and recipe!

Have a good day.

zainab :D
Yummy yummy n creative dish...d pics looks so tempting
Anonymous said…
Delicious ratatoille!
This reminds me of 'turlu' a vegetable stew we make in Turkey. I like the way you've arranged the veggies. Great photo too!
Raks said…
Wow,I loved that movie and your version looks too good! The last picture with the shadow is too good :)
That looks so appetizing dearie..looks superb and I m sure it tasted fabulous..
Sanghi said…
Looks great!! Nice presentation and clicks..@!
Chitra said…
U have prepared my blog title :)Interesting read abt ratatouille, awesome clicks :)
notyet100 said…
lovely click,..nd the dish looks yum
lubnakarim06 said…
Love that sunny shot....
Gita Jaishankar said…
I tried ratatouille like a stew...I love the way you have presented the dish...the peppers and eggplants stacked up with the sauce...lovely :)
Chef Jeena said…
Lovley presentation Yasmeen it sounds delish! :-)
Ivy said…
Lovely dish and very healthy. I love your photos especially the one with the shadow. How did you capture that!! Amazing.
What an unusual and beautiful presentation! I love it! Thanks for putting a new twist on an old favorite. :)
this looks absolutely beautiful....
Varsha Vipins said…
Yas,got a new cam???I see some difference in the pics..Superb dear..!!! n know what that collage pics right..that looked like bangles in there for me..multicolored..lol.:D..n great dish..I'd love to try this sometime..:)
ST said…
Awesome and mouthwatering recipe:)
Jyoti said…
Looks so delicious. Great picture!
Cynthia said…
I love your presentation! It reminds me of the movie :)
Sharmila said…
What lovely snaps Yasmeen! And that exotic looking dish is with just tomatoes and baingan?! Too good. :-)
CurryLeaf said…
Yum I love it Yasmeen.Your version looks perfect.
hi yasmeen...first time here....
nice clicks....of your yummy food..

thanks for dropping by my blog. hope to see you more often.
Arlette said…
hello Yasmine

this is an amazing and healthy dish I can eat any time.. beautiful presentation.. I do something similar with eggplant tomatoes and kababs and layer them exactly like yours and cook them in the oven.. never tried a vegetarian version... Yummy

I have something for you on my blog.. check it out.
Cham said…
Never seen such neat ratatouille dish, lovely presentation!
Kerstin said…
What a gorgeous ratatouille! I've never seen one so pretty and I know it was absolutely delicious too!
Vibaas said…
i heard of it for the first time too when i watched the movie. You make it look so yum :)
bee said…
looks fantastic. thanks for your entry, dear yasmeen.
What a beautiful creation, I love ratatouille.
Indhu said…
oooohhhh... that looks divine... how do you find the patience to make those thin rings? the pictures are awesome :)
Lena Jayadev said…
i had seen ratatouille on in that movie.. :)this looks amazing Yasmeen...wonderful snap as usual.. :)den hwz ramdan gion?? :)i want treat.. :)
sabah said…
It looks gorgeous, very nice recipe, I love it .
Amy said…
That is the most beautiful Ratatouille I've ever seen (and delicious looking too!)
Yasmeen said…
Thanks you all:)
Ivy and Varsha,its the same camera.I used more brightness for this particular shot I had the object in front of the window with light from the evening sunshine over it.
s said…
looks so good..and as usual you have such perfect shots...
Meeta K. Wolff said…
oh i love such wonderful dishes with all my fave veggies. a perfect entry for the Monthly Mingle! Thank you!
Joanne said…
Ratatouille is such a classic recipe! Yours is especially beautiful with all of those colors. great presentation.
Shifa Firoz said…
hmmmmmm.... ur making me drool Yasmeen... it looks delicious :)

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