More zucchini magic!
Ratatouille
Here's an easy busy week day family style way of making this classic French dish without loosing the bold flavors.
Ingredients:
Extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion (your choice), roughly chopped
2 red bell peppers, or 1 red and 1 yellow for color
2-3 garlic cloves, depending on size and flavor you want, minced
2 medium zucchinis or 1 large, cubed
1 regular box of medium sized mushrooms, halved
1 medium eggplant, cubed the same size as the zucchini (peeling the eggplant is optional)
1 25 oz. jar of organic marinara sauce (I prefer to use jarred sauces over canned tomatoes
when possible)
1 cup low-sodium organic vegetable stock (or organic low-sodium chicken stock)
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon marjoram, dried (or fresh if you have some)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 cup red wine
Method:
Peel and cut eggplant (peeling is optional), cube, and lightly salt. Place eggplant in a paper towel lined colander to draw bitters. Heat a stock pot over medium heat (I used a heavy cast iron pot for this recipe) and sprinkle in a little extra virgin olive oil to lightly coat the bottom and sauté onions and bell peppers a few minutes until onions are tender and peppers are just starting to soften. Add zucchini, mushrooms, and garlic and sauté just a few more minutes (not allowing the zucchini to get mushy). Pat down the eggplant and add to the pot. Add the marinara sauce and remaining ingredients. Simmer about 30 minutes, uncovered, or until the eggplant is slightly tender but, again, not mushy. Remove bay leaves before serving.
I served the ratatouille with gluten-free pappardelle, for some of us. And for the others who like bread, some nice rustic whole grain . . .
