RECIPES

Ratatouille

A lardon is a small piece of fatty pork or bacon that’s used to add flavour to many dishes. When cooked, it’s the fats that produce most of this. Lardons are often used in French cooking, but normal bacon also adds flavour and texture, and it has less calories than lardons! A traditional French Provencal vegetable stew, with the flavours of the mediterranean, that children (and some adults!) often associate with Disney, thanks to the 2007 movie of the same name! A heartwarming, summery, comfort dish that has colour and flavour. It can be served alongside a nice juicy steak, a roast, or as a main with a salad and crusty bread on the side, also goes great piled onto of Pasta. For best results, vegetables should be sautéed separately, more time consuming, but for the best results, it’s so worth it. Fresh tomatoes are best as well (use these if you want to impress), but a tin of diced tomatoes also does the trick. This recipe will make 8 serves, so refrigerate (or freeze) any leftovers for another night.
Meal Type:
Serves:
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:

Ingredients:

☐ 3 tbsp Olive Oil

☐  1 Eggplant (450g)

☐ 2 Capsicums (I Red & 1 Yellow)

☐ 2 Zucchini (approx. 250g)

☐ 2 Brown Onions

☐ 2-3 tsp minced Garlic

☐ 1 x 400g can diced Tomatoes

☐ 1 tsp fresh chopped Thyme

☐ 1 ½ tsp Salt

☐ ¼ -1/2 tsp Black Pepper

☐ 10-15 pitted Kalamata Olives

☐ Salt & Pepper to taste

☐ 1 tbsp resh Basil

☐ Extra Olive Oil for serving

Method:

  1. Dice eggplant, capsicum and zucchini into 2cm cubes, keeping them separated, and dice Onion into 1cm cubes.
  2. Use 1 tablespoon olive oil each + a pinch of salt & pepper, to cook: the eggplant (approx. 4 minutes), zucchini (approx. 3 minutes), capsicum (approx. 3 minutes), onion and garlic (these two can be cooked together (approx. 2-3 minutes). When each vegetable has softened but still a little firm inside, and lightly golden in colour, place in a larger stewing pot.
  3. Add chopped tomatoes, thyme, more salt & pepper, if needed, and olives (in whole, halves, or chopped smaller, however you prefer). Stir gently, and cook on medium flame until just boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes-stew should not be too watery.
  4. Mix in chopped Basil and serve in a ring of mashed potato, or in a small pile on the side, drizzled with good olive oil and place a couple of basil leaves on top, if desired.

tastee cheats

Related Recipes