One-Pan Ratatouille
 
 
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Ingredients
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1½ lbs. zucchini and/or summer squash, peeled with ends removed
  • 3 medium tomatoes (about 1 lb.), peeled, seeds and core removed
  • 1 medium eggplant (about 1 lb.), peeled with ends removed
  • 1 lb. green and/or red peppers, cored
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 handful basil (1 cup leaves), roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste.
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2-3 thyme sprigs OR 1½ teaspoons herbs de Provence (dried herb blend available in the spice aisle)
Instructions
  1. Prep all of the vegetables in advance by cutting into ½" cubes.
  2. Heat the oil in a large casserole pot or fry pan over medium heat.
  3. Add onion. Once onion begins to soften, add the peppers.
  4. Lower heat to medium low and cover (you should hear a slow sizzling)
  5. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 7 minutes
  6. Add the eggplant, stir to coat with oil. (add more oil if pan drys out)
  7. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they gently simmer. (You do not want to vegetables to sizzle in a dry pan. The pan should always have oil and, soon, juices from the vegetables.)
  8. Once the eggplant begins to soften, add the squash and/or zucchini
  9. Stir and cook until squash begins to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
  10. Add the tomatoes, stir and add salt, pepper, thyme sprigs or herbs de provence
  11. Drizzle with another glug of olive oil and stir to combine. Let simmer gently uncovered until vegetables are tender and sauce starts to thicken. About 20-25 minutes.
  12. Set a large ceramic or other heatproof bowl next to the stove top and remove the vegetables to the bowl using a slotted spoon.* Remove and discard thyme sprigs, if using.
  13. Leave all of the juices in the pan and increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Let boil for about 5- 7 minutes until liquid reduces by half and begins to thicken.
  14. Return vegetables to the pan, add basil, and stir to combine. Let sit until almost room temperature to allow flavors to meld, then serve.
  15. If not serving immediately, refrigerate and when serving, allow time for ratatouille to warm almost to room temperature, about 35-40 minutes should do it.
Notes
*Removing the vegetables may seem like a precious step and you could certainly serve without doing this. However, it does make a big difference in preventing the ratatouille from becoming watery and also intensifies the flavor of the sauce.

Serving ideas:
*Top with crumbled feta, goat or fresh cubed mozzarella atop of greens for a salad.
*Traditionally, ratatouille is often served rolled up inside plain crêpes and topped with parmesan or gruyere cheese then heated until bubbly under a broiler.
*Top with a fried or poached egg and a tossed salad on the side for brunch.
*Serve as a sauce atop pasta, rice or couscous
Recipe by FamilyandForks at https://www.familyandforks.com/one-pan-ratatouille/