Ratatouille: A Visually Stunning French Country Dish
Easy One-Pan Ratatouille Recipe, Perfect for a Healthy Diet
Have you heard of Ratatouille? It’s a classic French stew made with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, herbs, and olive oil, often familiar to us from animation. Made with an abundance of vegetables, it’s a wonderful side dish for meat or fish, or can be enjoyed as a light meal. I personally enjoyed it as a healthy diet option! The sweet, tender, baked vegetables are truly delicious. Ratatouille is also fantastic served cold with bruschetta or bread, and pairs wonderfully with rice or pasta. Making a large batch and storing it in the refrigerator is a great idea for convenient meals throughout the week. For an extra creamy and satisfying touch, I added mozzarella cheese to mine. Its beautiful presentation makes it perfect for home parties as a side dish. Let’s begin making this delightful Ratatouille!
Main Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium eggplant
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 king oyster mushroom
- 1/2 onion
- 100g mozzarella cheese
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the star vegetables of our Ratatouille. Wash 1 zucchini, 1 eggplant, and 1 ripe tomato thoroughly, then pat them dry. Slice them into approximately 5mm thick rounds. It’s important to keep them at a consistent thickness; too thin and they might break down while cooking.
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the vegetables for the flavorful sauce base. Finely mince 1/2 onion and 1/2 king oyster mushroom. Minced vegetables will add a deeper flavor and a smoother texture to the sauce.
Step 3
Now, let’s arrange the sliced vegetables beautifully. Take the sliced zucchini, eggplant, and tomato, and arrange them in a circular pattern, overlapping each slice slightly. This step is crucial for creating the visually appealing presentation characteristic of Ratatouille.
Step 4
Chop up any leftover trimmings from the eggplant, zucchini, and the remaining 1 ripe tomato. These chopped vegetables will be added to the sauce to build its rich flavor.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium heat and melt a knob of butter. The moment the butter melts and releases its wonderful aroma, you know it’s time to start cooking.
Step 6
Add the minced onion, king oyster mushroom, and the chopped eggplant and zucchini to the pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté gently until the onions become translucent and the vegetables are slightly softened. Be careful not to overcook at this stage, as we want to retain some freshness.
Step 7
Once the vegetables are lightly sautéed, add the chopped tomatoes and 200g of tomato purée. I’m using ‘Fomy Tomato Juice’, a 100% Italian tomato juice purchased from Traders, which is very versatile for cooking. You can use any standard tomato purée.
Step 8
Now, let’s add the seasonings to enhance the flavor. Stir in 1 tsp of Italian herb mix, 1 tsp of dried parsley, and optionally, 1 tsp of chicken stock for an extra depth of flavor. Simmer gently to allow the flavors to meld. While optional, the herbs and chicken stock significantly boost the aroma and taste of the Ratatouille.
Step 9
Once the sauce mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low and evenly sprinkle 100g of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. As the cheese melts, it will blend beautifully with the sauce, creating a richer, more satisfying dish.
Step 10
Finally, carefully arrange the reserved sliced zucchini, eggplant, and tomato on top of the sauce in a circular pattern, just as you did in step 2. Aim for an aesthetically pleasing, layered look, reminiscent of a flower.
Step 11
Lightly sprinkle salt and drizzle a little olive oil over the arranged vegetables. The salt enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables, while the olive oil adds a lovely sheen.
Step 12
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the prepared Ratatouille in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the cheese is melted and slightly golden. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Step 13
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the beautifully baked Ratatouille from the oven. For the final touch, grate some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese over the top. This adds a final layer of savory flavor and completes this delightful dish. Serve warm and enjoy!
