Perfect for preparing side dishes or side dishes! Ratatouille made with plenty of summer vegetables

Today, I'd like to introduce you to a healthy ratatouille recipe that uses plenty of fresh summer vegetables. Ratatouille is a traditional stew from the Provence region of France, known for its generous use of summer vegetables

A dish similar to ratatouille is the Italian caponata, but there are some differences between the two. Ratatouille originated in southern France, where all the ingredients are sautéed and simmered at once, with a simple seasoning of just salt and pepper. Caponata, on the other hand, originated in Sicily, where the vegetables are sautéed separately, with olives and celery added and a rich flavoring of wine vinegar and sugar. Both are tomato-based stews of summer vegetables, but the cooking methods and flavors differ, reflecting the characteristics of each region

The main ingredients are vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and onions, and by slowly simmering these, the sweetness and umami of the vegetables are brought out

It's easy to make, so please give it a try!

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Eggplant : 2 pieces
• 1 zucchini
• Onion : 1
• Red pepper : 1
• Yellow pepper : 1
• Garlic : 2 cloves
• Olive oil : 3 tablespoons
• Tomato sauce (pouch type) : 1 pack
• Basil : appropriate amount
• Salt : 1 teaspoon
• Pepper : to taste

How to make it

1. Preparing the vegetables

First, cut the eggplant and zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Eggplant contains a lot of water, so sprinkle a little salt on it after cutting it and leave it for about 10 minutes to let the excess water come out. During this time, thinly slice the onion and cut the red and yellow peppers into bite-sized pieces. Also, slice the garlic

2. Sauté the onions and garlic

Heat olive oil in a frying pan and fry the garlic over medium heat. When the garlic starts to smell fragrant, add the onion and fry until soft. When the onion becomes transparent, proceed to the next step

3. Fry the paprika

Once the onions have softened, add the red and yellow peppers to the frying pan. Reduce the heat to low and fry slowly for about 10 minutes. Cooking the peppers for a while until they are soft will increase their sweetness

4. Add eggplant and zucchini and stir fry

Next, add the eggplant and zucchini to the pan and fry for another 10 minutes. Stir-fry these vegetables slowly until they are slightly softened, which will give the dish a good overall balance

5. Add tomato sauce

Once the vegetables are softened, add the tomato sauce. Pouch-type tomato sauce is quick and convenient, but if you have fresh tomatoes, adding cherry tomatoes will give it a fresher taste. At this stage, add salt and pepper to adjust the taste

6. Stew

Simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Simmering allows the flavors of the vegetables to blend together, resulting in a rich, savory taste

7. Final adjustments to the flavor

Once simmering is complete, taste the dish and add salt and pepper if necessary. Ratatouille tastes best with a slightly stronger seasoning, so be careful with the amount of salt

8. Presentation

Once the ratatouille is done, arrange it on a plate. Finally, top it with basil to add color. The refreshing aroma of basil will enhance the overall flavor

Key points for making it delicious

• Use fresh vegetables : Ratatouille is a dish that brings out the flavor of vegetables, so it's important to use fresh vegetables.
• Stir-fry slowly : Stir-fry each vegetable slowly over low heat to enhance their sweetness and flavor.
• Stick to the cooking time : By sticking to the cooking time, the flavors of the vegetables will blend together, allowing you to enjoy a deep flavor.

How to Enjoy Ratatouille

Ratatouille is delicious on its own, on bread, or mixed with pasta. It can also be enjoyed chilled as a salad. If you make a large batch, it can be used as a side dish for meals the next day or later

This concludes the recipe for ratatouille using eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and onions. It's a simple dish that lets you fully enjoy the deliciousness of vegetables, so be sure to give it a try!