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Simple Ratatouille Recipe pictured in a bowl on a plate with spoon. Parmesan cheese and basil in the background.
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5 from 6 votes

Simple Ratatouille Recipe (a French Classic)

Simple Ratatouille is a classic French vegan stew that is great as a side dish or can be served with pasta as a main course.
Course Main, Side Dish
Cuisine French
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Author Camilla Hawkins

Equipment

  • 1 Wooden chopping board
  • 1 large pan
  • 1 long wooden spoon
  • 1 Measuring jug

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 medium red bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 medium yellow or orange bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 large aubergine diced
  • 2 medium courgettes sliced into half-moon shapes
  • 400 g / 14 oz can Italian chopped tomatoes
  • 2 heaped tbsp Italian tomato puree
  • 1 tsp Herbes de Provence/Italian mixed herbs
  • 120 ml / 4 fl oz water
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese shavings optional
  • Fresh basil leaves optional

Instructions

  • Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan on a low to medium heat and soften the onion and garlic for about 7-10 mins under a lid stirring occasionally.
  • Add another tbsp of olive oil, the chopped peppers, aubergine (eggplant) and courgette (zucchini) and fry stirring continuously for about 10 minutes (longer for a more caramelised flavour).
  • Add the tinned chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs, seasoning and water.
  • Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (until vegetables are cooked through).
  • Serve ratatouille garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings and basil leaves (optional) as a side dish or on a bed of spaghetti/pasta.

Video

Notes

This dish improves with age and tastes even better a day or two later.
When adding the water I pour it into the empty chopped tomatoes can to rinse out the remaining juice.