Ratatouille

Recipe Ingredients

1 lb	454g / 16oz	Eggplant - cut 1" chunks
		Salt - to taste
		Olive oil - as needed
1/2 lb	227g / 8oz	Onions - cut 1/2" slices
1/2 lb	227g / 8oz	Red bell peppers - cut 1/2" slices
1		Fresh thyme sprig
1		Fresh oregano sprig
2		Garlic cloves - minced
1 lb	454g / 16oz	Zucchini - lengthwise halved,
		And cut into 1" chunks
1/2 lb	227g / 8oz	Plum tomatoes - finely chopped
1 tablespoon	15ml	Red wine vinegar - (to 2)
		Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
1		Handful of torn basil leaves

Recipe Instructions

Place the eggplant chunks in a large colander and sprinkle liberally with salt. Toss to combine well and then set the colander aside on a plate or in the sink to drain while you prepare the remainder of the dish.

In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they're slightly wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers, thyme and oregano. Reduce the heat to medium, cover tightly and cook, shaking and stirring from time to time, until the peppers and onions are well softened, about 10 more minutes. Add the garlic and season to taste with salt. Stir well and, using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked vegetables to a large pot, leaving as much oil as possible in the skillet.

Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add enough oil to film the bottom of the pan. Add the zucchini, season to taste with salt and cook, stirring, until it softens enough that you can cut a dent in it with the spatula. This will take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the age, size and quality of the squash. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked squash to the onion pot, leaving as much oil as possible in the skillet.

Press the eggplant in the colander to remove as much moisture as possible, rinse it under running water, then turn it out onto a clean kitchen towel and pat it dry. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and, if necessary, add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil sizzles, add the eggplant. Cook, stirring, until the eggplant softens enough that you can cut a dent in it with a spatula. Again, this will vary from 5 to 10 minutes depending on the age, size and quality of the eggplant.

When the eggplant has softened, add the tomatoes, vinegar and a generous grinding of pepper and cook until the tomatoes have melted and the vinegar has lost its raw smell, 3 to 5 minutes.

Combine all of this, including whatever oil remains, with the other cooked vegetables in the pot. Stir well and taste: There should be several layers of sweetness but also an underlying tartness that is noticeable. If necessary, add up to another tablespoon of vinegar. The dish can be prepared to this point and refrigerated, tightly covered, until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, heat the ratatouille, taste again to correct the seasoning and add the torn basil leaves at the last minute to keep them from discoloring. Turn the dish into a warmed serving bowl and pass at the table.

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Each of 6 servings: 183 calories; 59 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 14 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 4.48 grams fiber.

Source:
The Los Angeles Times, 10-10-2001

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