Ultimate French Comfort Food: Ratatouille (and it’s très simple, too!)

Instructions:

VEGGIES! For our recipe (we had a group of about 10), we used about six zucchini, 2 onions, 4 cloves garlic, 2 eggplants, 2 yellow bell peppers, 2 red bell peppers, 8 roma tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.

CHOP CHOP CHOP! Cut all the vegetables in fairly uniform pieces so they will blend nicely together. The zucchini, tomato, and eggplant should be in about ½ inch slices, and the onion and peppers should be sliced finely. Mince the garlic.

COOK! Put the garlic, onions, and peppers in a large saucepan on med/high heat. Sauté with olive oil until the veggies are softened. Add eggplant and cook steadily until the vegetables start to reduce and release their juices, but aren't discolored

WAIT... Add the zucchini and about a cup of water to the mix, keeping the veggies moist. Simmer until the mixture is thick and somewhat caramelized; you will know when the time is right. Be patient...this part takes about 30-45 min, but it's worth it

Last week I dined with a group of my friends…we were an eclectic mix of American girls, Frenchmen, and a dude from Mumbai. I spent five months in France last year during study abroad, and nothing was more comforting than a warm stew of wholesome vegetables, filling the room with the scent of roasted peppers, onions, and garlic. What’s great about this recipe is that you can prepare it a day ahead, and it’s even better the second day when the flavors really have a chance to combine. I was so happy when one of our French friends volunteered to create his version, and watched with intensity as he showcased his culinary skills.

The more the vegetables are allowed to reduce, the better your ratatouille will be. Serve as a side or main dish…our chef Sebastièn cooked up some amazing roasts for us to enjoy, and kept the wine pouring. Nothing could make me more nostalgic for France!

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Ultimate French Comfort Food: Ratatouille (and it’s très simple, too!)

Veggies are my favorite food.

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