In the heart of Provence, France, lies a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of summer's bounty: Ratatouille Provençale. This vibrant dish is a symphony of flavors and colors, as tender vegetables, aromatic herbs, and rich spices blend together to create a hearty and satisfying meal. From the classic recipe that celebrates the simplicity of fresh ingredients to innovative interpretations that add layers of complexity, Ratatouille Provençale stands as a testament to the creativity and passion of French cuisine. Explore a collection of Ratatouille recipes that showcase the versatility of this dish, from traditional to modern variations, each offering a unique take on the Provençal classic.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
PROVENCAL RATATOUILLE RECIPE
The traditional ratatouille recipe wants the vegetables to be brown in olive oil in a frying pan, each one separately. Do not peel them at all. All the vegetables are cooked with their skin to preserve a maximum of taste. Then, they will be mixed and will confit together in an earthenware casserole.
Provided by Remember Provence
Categories Side Dish
Time 3h40m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preparation of the peppers: Cut the red and green peppers into thin sections after having seeded them, without removing the skin. Blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes to make them more digestible. Remove from the water when slightly softened. Drain water over a colander.
- Meanwhile, trim the eggplants into cubes with their skin. First cut them in the direction of their length, then cut perpendicularly to get dice.
- Peel and crush two garlic cloves.
- Wash and chop the parsley.
- Lightly heat half a cup of olive oil in a skillet. (Preferably a Provencal olive oil!)
- When the pan is hot but not too hot (because the olive oil loses its beneficial qualities if it's burnt), sauté the aubergines with garlic and a large handful of parsley.
- Stir occasionally.
- Preparation of the tomatoes: Score the bottom of the tomatoes. Dip the tomatoes in boiling water for about 3-5 minutes for ease of peeling the skin.
- Wait until they cool to cut and seed them. You can fry the tomatoes with peppers or separately, still with olive oil and garlic. Stir occasionally.
- Slice the onions.
- In another pan, brown the onions with two tablespoons of olive oil, then add the peppers. After about 10 minutes, or as soon as the peppers have softened, add the tomatoes. Stir often to prevent vegetables from clinging to the bottom of the pan.
- Remember to check the eggplant, which should brown a little on the flesh side. Remove the eggplant from the heat once it begins to brown.
- Preparation of zucchini: Cut zucchini into cubes. Prepare two cloves of garlic again, and chop parsley.
- Brown zucchini cubes in a skillet over medium heat in the preheated olive oil. You can use a little less oil than for eggplant.
- Add the pressed garlic, and a good handful of chopped parsley. Stir often. Add a spoon of olive oil to the zucchini if necessary.
- When the zucchini is browned, season with salt and pepper.
- Stop cooking already cooked vegetables, and drain juices. Watch the others as they must not be crisp.
- Bake the ratatouille: When all the vegetables are cooked and drained, mix them in a casserole dish.
- Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
- Cover and simmer in the oven (150C or 300F) for at least two hours (minimum). Stir occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy!
RATATOUILLE PROVENCALE
In France, we make ratatouille all year round and serve it with white rice, or as a side dish for fish or meat. It is naturally vegan and tastes especially good with sun-ripened vegetables.
Provided by stella
Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Eggplant
Time 1h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Pour olive oil into a large pot over high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Reduce heat and add tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, tomato puree, herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and check the level of liquid in the pot. Continue cooking for 30 minutes, uncovered if there is too much liquid, or covered if the amount of liquid looks right.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 322.5 calories, Carbohydrate 35.2 g, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 14.5 g, Protein 7.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 143.9 mg, Sugar 16.9 g
RATATOUILLE
In this classic Provençal dish, summer vegetables, like eggplant, onions, peppers, tomatoes and zucchini, are covered in olive oil and roasted separately, then all together, until they become a soft, harmonious stew. This recipe calls for seeding and peeling the tomatoes, which is a bit of work. But it's worth it for the intensity of flavor and the velvety texture. Ratatouille takes some time to make, and tastes better the next day, so plan ahead. The upside is that it's a perfect make-ahead dish for a party. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, then gently reheat it, or bring it to room temperature before serving. This recipe is part of The New Essentials of French Cooking, a guide to definitive dishes every modern cook should master. Buy the book.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, soups and stews, main course, side dish
Time 3h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the vegetables: Smash and peel 3 garlic cloves, reserving the 4th. Halve onions through their roots, and slice halves into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Cut eggplant into 1-inch cubes or spears. Seed peppers, and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
- Spread each vegetable on a separate rimmed baking sheet (use extra sheets as necessary). Add the 3 cloves of smashed garlic to the onion pan. Add 1 sprig rosemary and 2 sprigs thyme to each of the pepper, eggplant and zucchini pans. Sprinkle salt lightly over vegetables. Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil on each of the pans.
- Place all the pans in the oven (or work in batches if they don't fit at once). Cook until vegetables are very tender and lightly browned at the edges. This will take about 35 to 40 minutes for the peppers (their skins should shrivel), 40 to 45 minutes for the eggplant and zucchini (the eggplant should crisp slightly and the zucchini should be well cooked, so let them go 3 to 5 minutes longer than you normally might), and 60 to 65 minutes for the onions. Don't worry about the vegetables being pretty; they will meld into the ratatouille. Shake or stir the pans every 15 to 20 minutes or so, especially the onions.
- In the meantime, prepare the tomatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tomatoes and blanch until the skins split, about 10 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to quickly transfer the tomatoes to a bowl filled with ice water.
- Using a paring knife, peel the cooled tomatoes (the skins should slip right off). Halve tomatoes across their equators. Set a sieve over a bowl. Working over the bowl, use your fingers to seed the tomatoes, letting the seeds catch in the sieve and the juice run into the bowl. Discard seeds but save juices. Dice tomatoes and add to the reserved juices in bowl.
- Finely grate or mince remaining garlic clove. Add garlic to tomatoes along with bay leaves and a large pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Once vegetables are done cooking, combine them on one baking sheet or a large shallow baking dish and add ingredients from tomato bowl. Toss well. Vegetables will be stacked, and that's O.K. Cover generously with olive oil, using remaining ¼ cup oil or more, and sprinkle with salt. Everything should have a good coat of oil, but should not be drowning in it. Cook at least 1 hour, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes, until vegetables are very tender and imbued with juices and oil. Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm, or let cool.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 262, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 361 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
Tips:
- Choosing the Right Vegetables: Select fresh, ripe, and organic vegetables. Use a variety of colors and textures for a visually appealing dish.
- Slicing Vegetables: Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Thicker slices are recommended for sturdier vegetables like eggplant and zucchini.
- Cooking Vegetables Separately: Cook each vegetable separately to maintain their distinct flavors and textures. Start with vegetables that take longer to cook, such as eggplant and zucchini, and finish with those that cook quickly, like tomatoes and bell peppers.
- Using Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil for a burst of flavor. Add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their delicate aromas.
- Seasoning and Spices: Generously season the ratatouille with salt, pepper, and other spices. Use a combination of dried and fresh spices for a complex flavor profile.
- Cooking in Olive Oil: Ratatouille is traditionally cooked in olive oil. Its mild flavor allows the flavors of the vegetables to shine through.
- Simmering the Sauce: Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful the sauce will be.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve ratatouille as a main course or side dish. It pairs well with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or pasta.
Conclusion:
Ratatouille is a classic French dish that showcases the beauty and flavors of fresh vegetables. With its vibrant colors and delicious taste, it's a dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this step-by-step recipe will guide you through the process of creating a mouthwatering ratatouille provençale. Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients, cook the vegetables separately, and simmer the sauce for maximum flavor. Enjoy this Provençal delight with friends and family, and let the flavors of the Mediterranean transport you to the heart of France. Bon appétit!
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