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Ratatouille - Quite the Disney Way

Fatima Sadal - Chef on Rhine
Inspired from the Disney movie Ratatouille. this beautiful deconstructed recipe is composed of sliced colorful vegetables arranged over a garlic-infused tomato sauce. Easy, quick yet very classic!
Servings 5

Ingredients
  

Sauce

  • 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 red /yellow paprika finely diced
  • 400 g canned tomato sauce
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Casserole

  • 1 large light green zucchini or squash / pumpkin
  • 1 dark green zucchini
  • 1 long aubergine
  • 2-3 tomatoes
  • 2 potatoes
  • 2 thyme sprigs optional
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

For the tomato sauce

  • Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-low heat. Add olive oil and garlic. Then onion and diced paprika.
  • Add the tomato puree.
  • Cook for 3-5 min, then add in the sugar , thyme and oregano.
  • Mix all the ingredients together and gently crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon, potato masher or coarsely blend with an emulsion blender.
  • Allow to cook for about 15 min (add 1/2 cup water if required), then season with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 180C (if baking).

Assemble

  • To make the ratatouille, start by slicing zucchini, eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes into even thin slices and set them aside.
  • Arrange one slice of each vegetable on the pan and continue until the pan is full. To make things easier, stack the veggie slices in your hand then layer them into the pan.
  • Season with a generous pinch of oregano, salt and black pepper on top. Place thyme sprigs on top, if using!
  • Cover and cook on medium until done or bake (covered) for 45 minutes or until veggies are tender and the sauce is gently bubbling on the sides.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, allow to cool for 5 min, then serve.

Notes

  • Always adjust the seasoning as the taste of tomatoes can be different each time!
  • You can use a slicer for vegetables or cut with a sharp knife.
  • The canned tomato sauce can be replaced with fresh tomato purée.