RATATOUILLE

Ratatouille is a traditional French dish from the Provence region. Initially, it was farmers trying not to waste food, throwing all seasonal surplus vegetables together to create a hearty and filling stew. The name comes from the French word 'touiller', meaning 'to stir up', describing the simplicity of the dish. Today, it is known worldwide as a beautiful, colourful, oven-baked dish, appreciated for its versatility as you can always use whatever vegetables you have left in your fridge. It is often flavoured with garlic and fresh herbs mixed in a rich tomato sauce.

Ratatouille is quite simple as you only need to rustle up the tomato sauce and slice the vegetables. Make the tomato sauce by sautéing onion and garlic in butter, add thyme and tomato puree as well as canned tomatoes and honey and let simmer for 20 minutes. Then pour the sauce into an oven-proof pan and preheat the oven. Cut the vegetables into half-centimetre disc shaped slices. Arrange the vegetable slices in a pattern so they overlap in the pan, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme, and bake for 30 minutes.

It is delicious on its own, but you can easily serve ratatouille with various side and main dishes. Pair it with grilled meat or fish, serve it on top of pasta or rice, or alongside a slice of bread. The bread is perfect for soaking up leftover tomato sauce, but you can also dip it and scoop up slices of vegetables. Or serve it as a standalone meal, enjoying the savoury tomato sauce and vegetables on their own.

Ratatouille has a rich and savoury taste with notes of garlic and fresh thyme covered in a sweet yet tangy tomato sauce. The tomatoes balance the earthy taste of aubergine, courgette, and bell pepper, creating a well-balanced dish. Enjoy a symphony of sweet, acidic, and savoury flavours with a pungent, sharp kick from garlic and onion as well as fragrant, earthy, and herbal notes from thyme and basil.

Ratatouille can keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. And the best thing is that it often gets better after a day or two in the fridge since the flavours from the ratatouille ingredients have time to meld together. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container.

If you want to store ratatouille for longer than 5 days in the fridge, you can easily freeze it. Make sure it cools completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It is best to thaw, reheat, and savour the leftovers within 2-3 months to ensure the best possible taste and consistency. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven.