Description
Homemade ratatouille brings Mediterranean sunshine onto your plate with classic French vegetable magic. Colorful layers of eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes create a delightful culinary journey that connects hearty ingredients with simple, elegant preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 small eggplant (sliced 1/8 inch thick circles)
- 2 small zucchini (sliced 1/8 inch thick circles)
- 3 Roma tomatoes (sliced 1/8 inch thick circles)
- 1/2 small onion (chopped)
- 1/3 cup carrot (shredded)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Other Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing for a vibrant vegetable medley.
- In a large skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and carrots over medium heat until they become tender and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate seasonings and crushed tomatoes into the vegetable mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop rich flavors for 15 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious taste profile.
- Transfer the thickened tomato sauce to a 2-quart baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Artfully arrange sliced vegetables vertically in a circular pattern, nestled into the sauce, creating a visually stunning presentation.
- Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the vegetable arrangement to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Cover the dish and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the cover and continue cooking until vegetables become perfectly tender and slightly caramelized.
- Serve immediately, showcasing the colorful and aromatic ratatouille straight from the oven.
Notes
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and a visually stunning presentation that mimics classic French ratatouille design.
- Mandoline slicer works best for creating thin, consistent vegetable rounds that cook perfectly and look professional.
- Layer vegetables tightly and slightly overlapping to create a beautiful spiral pattern that helps vegetables steam and caramelize simultaneously.
- For gluten-free and vegan options, ensure all ingredients are plant-based and use high-quality olive oil to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg