Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Ratatouille's- Ratatouille




Ever since I saw the movie, Ratatouille, I have wanted to make the version shown in the movie. Thomas Keller of French Laundry is the inspiration behind the Chef Rat -Remy. In the movie, the Ratatouille shown is a Thomas Keller version of the French Stew. This is my version.


INGREDIENTS:                Serves 4; Prep time - 20 minutes; Cook time - 40 minutes

  • Eggplant, long slender ones or the small oblong ones - 8 or (200gms or 8 oz)
  • Red Bell Pepper- 1 to 2
  • Green Zucchini - 2 to 4
  • Summer squash( yellow zucchini) - 2 to 4
  • Onion, sliced thin - 1 medium
  • Tomatoes, peeled and cubed - 400g or 16 oz
  • Garlic Cloves, crushed - 5 to 6
  • Olive oil- 1 tbsp
  • Herbs de Provence - 2 tsp
  • Coriander Powder - 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
  • Crushed fennel seeds -1/2 to 3/4 tsp
  • Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Vegetable or chicken stock - 1 cup
  • Parchment paper

METHOD:

  • Heat Olive oil. 
  • Add in the onions and garlic. 
  • Saute for a minute. 
  • Add in the tomatoes. 
  • Cook for about 5 minutes, stir once in a while. 
  • Add in the herbs De  Provence and other spices, salt and pepper. Mix well. 
  • Add in the broth/stock and mix well. 
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste the sauce to ensure the taste is balanced. Sometimes, the tomatoes are sour, adding a pinch of sugar rounds out the flavour profile.
  • The sauce should become a little thick.
  • Turn off the heat and keep aside.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Slice the eggplant, summer squash, zucchini and bell pepper to about 1/8th to 1/16th of an inch.It is better to use a mandoline if you have one - makes the job easier and quicker.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  • In a nice oven proof dish, spoon out the tomato sauce so that it is about 1/2 to 1/4" thick.
  • Starting from the out to the in, arrange the slices of eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini and bell pepper so that they are slightly overlapping almost resembling a spiral.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper( as per taste).
  • Cut out a piece of parchment paper to match that of the dish and lightly place on the vegetables.
  • Place in a preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or till the vegetables are just done.
  • Remove from the oven, remove the parchment and discard.
  • Serve with French bread.

NOTE: Herbs de Provence is a herb blend of 3tbsp each of oregano, thyme and savory, 2tbsp lavendar, 1tsp each of basil, sage and rosemary.


2 comments:

  1. fuckj you sara and ur fucking ratetoulie cass44o,le ur not invited tgo yth3w ev kab cookouht.

    ReplyDelete