Ratatouille
Sautéing dried herbes de Provence in olive oil for this vegetable dish awakens their fragrance. You can substitute fresh tomatoes for canned, when in season.
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Credit: André Baranowski
SERVES 6
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 tbsp. dried herbes de Provence
6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
2 large yellow onions, quartered
1 bay leaf
2 medium zucchini (about 1 1/4 lbs.),
cut into 2" pieces
1 medium eggplant (about 14 oz.),
cut into 2" pieces
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded,
and quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded,
and quartered
10 whole peeled tomatoes from the can, drained
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,
to taste
1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oven to 400˚. Heat oil in a 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add herbes de Provence, garlic, onions, and bay leaf; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes.2. Increase heat to high; stir in the zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Uncover pot, transfer to the oven, and bake, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 1 1/2 hours.
3. Stir in basil and parsley, transfer ratatouille to a serving bowl, and serve warm or at room temperature.
I actually prepared this dish for a French family in Rouen - they were impressed by this ratatouille!