I want to make Ratatouille!

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redkitty

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Joined
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This is my first time making Ratatouille and after much searching online for a recipe (non of my cookbooks have a recipe) I found this My Niçoise Ratatouille, even if I come from Lorraine — Ma ratatouille niçoise, même si je suis lorraine by La Tartine Gourmande

You need:
  • 2 medium sized zucchinis (11 oz)
  • 2 small eggplants (11 oz)
  • 2 shallots
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 lb + 2 to 4 oz tomatoes
  • 1/2 yellow pepper
  • 1/2 red pepper
  • 1 Tbsp tarragon, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp parsley, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp fine sugar
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
Steps:
  • Chop all vegetables in small cubes.
  • Chop the garlic and shallots thinly.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a thick-bottomed pot (Le Creuset style).
  • Add the zucchinis and eggplants and cook for 5 mns until softer. Set aside.
  • Heat 2 more Tbsp olive oil and then add the garlic, peppers and shallots. Cook for 3 to 4 mns, until softer.
  • Add the tomatoes and mix well. Cook for 5 mns before adding the zucchinis and eggplants again.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the chopped herbs, the bay leaf and the tsp of sugar, and cook uncovered on low heat for 1 hour.
Note: I usually sprinkle coarse salt on the eggplants placed in a sieve, and let them on the side like this for 30 mns minimum. It helps with their cooking. In French, this technique is called dégorger les légumes. (légume = vegetable)


What do you think? I really wanted to make a traditional Ratatouille, I was surprised at how many different recipes I found!
 
Sounds good as is!! I like the idea of "sweating' the eggplant first too!! I always do that when I cook eggplant!

Oh "sweating" is Southern for the French term degorger les legumes!!;)
 
I respectfully add that, after many many years of growing & cooking many different varieties of eggplant, that the old wive's tale of having to salt & sieve them is just that - an old wive's tale.

A totally unnecessary procedure unless one has really old eggplant & thus wants to hide the flavor/bitterness.
 
Thanks Breezy, I was wondering about the eggplant part.

JP, I'll check out that recipe, thanks for posting it!
 
I made the recipe I posted here and it is soooo tasty! Even better the next day! I'm just eating the last of it for dinner. I liked the fresh tarragon vs basil which most recipes call for. I will definitely be making this again!!
 
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