One of the great pleasures in life has got to be vegetables cooked and seasoned properly. There’s something so wonderful about the fresh taste that nature has given to us in so many different flavors, shapes and colors. And cooking them properly is really easier than you think!
Many years ago I learned how to prepare a classical version of Ratatouille, it was simple and easy to cook. No bells, no whistles, no extra seasonings, no kitchen magic. Just fresh delicious vegetables cooked to perfection tasting as nature intended.
I will admit it had been too many years since I cooked this classical version of ratatouille, and I went back to do a little research on the dish. After finding many new versions on all the cooking sites with different herbs, seasonings, vinegars, sugars…….sigh. You name it they had changed it up and recreated different versions. Now don’t get me wrong, I do love a little tweaking here and there and I’m sure they were all very tasty, but I wanted what I wanted so I turned to Julia Child, and Jacques Pepin. And each one told me the same thing about seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Julia and Jacques have long been the authorities I turn to when I have questions about authenticity and they didn’t let me down! Of course I did go back to my roots and as Mama Jennette had taught me I used crushed tomatoes instead of fresh, but thats a very slight adjustment and no flavors were harmed in the process.
I did promise you Ratatouille Two Ways and while I do love the richness of the classical version, this has taken its place as the Ratatouille of choice in my home. I did get a scolding from a Ratatouille Master for including the vegetables I did in this dish, but as I explained to her this was my Mediteranean Roasted Vegetable Version of Ratatouille not the classic.
One message I always try to deliver in my classes is nothing is etched in stone and adjustments can be made to just about any dish to make it something that you’ll enjoy eating time and time again. Don’t ever feel trapped by recipes, they’re simply guidelines.
- 1 Sweet Onion- Large cut
- 1 Large Red Bell Pepper- Large Cut
- 3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- 1 leave Eggplant peeled and cubed you may the skin on if you prefer
- 2 Zucchini –sliced
- 20 ounces of crushed tomato or 3 large tomatoes chopped
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 1 Sweet Onion- Large chop
- 1 leave Head of Garlic peeled the cloves whole
- 1 leave Eggplant the skin on and cube
- 1 Zucchini –sliced
- 1 Yellow Squash – sliced
- 1 leaves Fennel Bulb –sliced the bulb and some of the stalk add the as seasoning
- 1 Large Bell Peppers your choice of color -sliced
- 6 Stalks celery -sliced
- 1 Pint of Grape Tomatoes
- 3 Sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 Sprigs fresh thyme
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste
- In a large saute pan over medium high heat add olive oil and allow to heat
- Add peppers, onions and garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes
- Add eggplant and season with salt and pepper and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the eggplant is beginning to look cooked.
- Add zuchinni and saute until it appears to be slightly cooked (about 5 mins)
- Add crushed tomatoes, turn down heat to a simmer and allow mixture to cook for 15-20 minutes or until the eggplant is fully cooked.
- You want the vegetables to be soft but not mush
- Reseason as needed and serve over chicken, fish, pasta or simply as a side dish.
- Preheat oven to 350
- Wash and cut the vegetables in a variety of shapes and sizes but try t0 keep them bite size.
- Rinse the herbs.
- Combine everything in a large bowl with enough olive oil (about 2 Tbsp) to coat the vegetables, add the salt and pepper and mix well. Place them in an ovenproof dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes
- At this point the vegetables should be cooked but not colored, and there should be cooking juices at the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 30-45 minutes, keeping an eye on the progress until the cooking juices have mostly evaporated and the vegetables have taken on a nice roasted aspect.
- Remove the sprigs of herb and serve immediately, or at room temperature.
Here’s the video of this episode of Around the Kitchen Table.
More recipes from my site
How to Make Pesto Three Ways and Add Deliciousness to Your Recipes!- How to make Root Vegetable Paella – Perfect for #MeatlessMonday
- From The Farmer’s Market to Your Fork – Provençal Ratatouille
- It’s Guest Post Friday with RavieNomNoms Blog
- A Trio of Skewer Recipes for Your Summertime Grilling Pleasure
- How to make Red Snapper en Papillote – Restaurant Style Recipe
Donna Turovac says
I made the Mediterranean version last night for dinner (with roasted salmon) and I was quite surprised how delicious it was! There is a sweetness that I suppose just comes through with the mix of vegetables. My husband and I ate the whole pan without any guilt! This is a true keeper especially for guests. Love one pan dishes – thanks!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the Mediterranean ratatouille Donna! It’s such a delicious way to enjoy vegetables and your right about the guilt free part! I love to mix up the blend of veggies depending upon what I have on hand. Add in a nice rice or grain dish and you’ve got a wonderful meatless meal.
Kim | a little lunch says
Aarrgghh… sorry I misspelled Susan’s name… still working on two-handed typing. 😉
Kim | a little lunch says
If ever there was a spontaneous start to elicit smiles at the beginning of an HOA, it was this one! Thanks, Dennis & Susan… your enthusiasm & good humor is contagious. (And oh, that Ratatouille…)
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Kim, and we all make those typing errors!
Larry says
Both of your versions look very nice and while I like everything in there, I can’t seem to become a fan of ratatouille – go figure.
Chef Dennis Littley says
sometimes things just work out that way Larry. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Chef and Steward says
Dennis, this is just one of the reasons we respect you “nothing is etched in stone and adjustments can be made to just about any dish …Don’t ever feel trapped by recipes”. We try to share that message as well as oftentimes people get hung up on recipes and miss out on a possibly great personalisation for themselves by making changes to suit them. It’s the difference for me with swapping the fillet with the ribeye for that sensational steak & sauce dish. One is a cut I wouldn’t enjoy so much and the other is a great new way to enjoy my ribeye!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Its always nice to hear that others think the same way, thank you so much!
Kath says
I love the vibrant colors of your Mediterranean Roasted Ratatouille, Dennis! And I would make no apology for using crushed tomatoes when great fresh tomatoes are not available. 😉
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Kath! we do love our veggies!