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5.0 from 18 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.

Prep Time
12 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: French

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. Add the tinned chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs, seasoning and water.
  4. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (until vegetables are cooked through).
  5. Serve ratatouille garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings and basil leaves (optional) as a side dish or on a bed of spaghetti/pasta.

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.