Ratatouille is a traditional Vegetarian dish from southern France, la Provence. There are numerous ways on how to prepare this famous dish, pot or oven, all Vegetable together cooked or separate and some recipes include more or even less herbs. Well, I am not from the south and so I can’t say which one is the truly original one, but I am still french too and my grandma in France would prepare us a Ratatouille which we loved and cherished. My grandma was feeding lots of mouths at times, because we are a huge family. She had 11 children and 24 grandchildren, a big private party at family events, full of fun and laughter.
You see for me, Ratatouille is remembered in my heart as a warm happy feeling. My parents and siblings and I would go to France only once a year in July and would stay there for an average of 1-2 weeks. My cousins would be all super excited when we would come and this was definitely the best time of the whole year. There was always something happening and somebody around to enjoy my holiday with, play around, annoy some grown ups, u know what I mean, right?
July in Europe is summer time, holiday time and July holds the warmest days of the year. It is the time of the year when some home grown veggies get ready to be plucked and enjoyed. Zucchini, Tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant and Onion are common Veggies in the gardens. Some of them grow even over sized at times, like mutant zucchinis as an example.
Herbs are a must in every house holds garden, such as parsley, basil, sage, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano and many different types. They are useful fresh and home grown, more tasty and flavourful of course and used in some many different ways.
Mixing our Veggies and herbs together and what we get is a wonderful flavoured, nutritious, happy, magical Ratatouille. A dish for everyone in this world, not only the french. 
Ratatouille - Serves 2
1 medium Onion – peeled, cut into thin slices
3/4 of a small green Capsicum – deseeded, cut into small thin slices
3 medium Tomatoes – cut into small cubes
1 small Zucchini – peeled, halved and cut into thin slice
1 small Aubergine – cut into small cubes
2 garlic cloves – peeled and chopped
Olive Oil
few cups of water
1 Tsp Hebe de Provence mix
1 small bay leave
few Pepper balls
salt
2 small leaves fresh Sage
2 basil leaves
1/2 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp sugar
Prepare first all the Vegetables, washing, cleaning, peeling and cutting as above mentioned. Heat up your pot adding some olive oil and toss in the onions, stir frying till they are glossy.
Then continue by adding the capsicum and Tomato, keeping them to sweat for a few minutes.
And we go on adding the zucchini, garlic and Eggplant at once, stirring in between, so that the veggies don’t burn on. Fry 2-3 minutes and add in 1 1/2 cup water, keeping it from now on, on high heat till it boils up. In the meanwhile throw in your magic herbs, Hebe de Provence, sage bay and basil leave, dried thyme and don’t forget the pepper balls and the salt.
Once it has boiled up, add the sugar, that will take the bitterness and bridge the flavours, then keep it on slow fire covered adding after some time water if too dry. My gas cooker is very strong even on low flame, I used at least 3 cups of water over the cooking time.
Garlic butter bread
5 Garlic Cloves – peeled, crushed
Butter – to fry
Bread or slice bread
Melt the Butter in a pan and add the garlic and press the bread downwards into the pan. The bread will soak the flavoured butter in and sprinkle the fried garlic pieces on the bread.
You can enjoy Ratatouille as Side dish or main dish. I like to serve it with rice or as seen above with garlic butter bread. Voila, Merci!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You reminded me of the summers we used to spend in France when we were growing up! Miss those days!
The ratatouille looks interesting!
I've heard of Tatarouille many times but haven't had a chance to taste it. It looks very easy to make and I'll definitely cook this soon!
I love the way a good dish brings back so many memories, good food can literally transport you back in time or to any place you want to be. Great recipe, great post!
Mmmm…I love ratatouille and its many variations. I know I'd love it with garlicky bread like this!
@Arwa how cool, u spend your summers in france too. =)yes I miss those days too, no worries and plenty of fun. where in france were u?
@Nami Tatarouille? lol u mixed the r and t, except there i a other dish called as such. Nami believe me u ll love it.
@fooddude thanks, yes I agree food is the bridge between past and the now. that reminds me exactly at the scene in the movie "ratatouille", where the rat serves the critique a ratatouille and he gets transportet back to his childhood memorie. by the way my white rat loves ratatouille. hihi
@Heather did u try different variations? maybe u have a lil special secret recipe of a variations, which u could share with your readers.
This is such a tasty looking recipe! I don't know anyone that doesn't adore this
Hi Helene, thanks for droppingby my blog. I have not try ratatouille but your sure look delicious. I like the garlic bread, looks great. Have a nice day.
My grandmother used to make ratatouille all the time growing up, it was delicious! I haven't made it in about 4 months, I might have to add it to my menu plan soon
What a healthy and flavorful dish. I love ratatouille, especially like yours that filled with vibrant colors.
@Notquitenigella neither do I, its every ones favourite I guesse.
thanks for stoping by
@Amelia oh great a newbie. Then I am honored to have u introduced to my Ratatouille, which u ll enjoy, trust me.
@Frugal 4 months? thats quite some time. I d be sick without it by now. =P
@Amy yes its for sure a very healthy dish full of nutritions. I thought that too that it got naturaly colorefull without masalas (for once).
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