Perhaps a dish of colorful ratatouille reminds you of watching the Pixar animated movie Ratatouille! That movie was many people’s first introduction to this wonderful dish and how to pronounce it.
For those unfamiliar with it, ratatouille is a type of vegetable stew that originated in France. The dish contains only vegetable ingredients and tastes amazing, so it is made in heaven for vegans.
The dish is also great for anyone on a weight loss diet as it is full of nutrients and low in calories. So, what exactly does ratatouille taste like, and what is this wonderful dish? Ratatouille is basically a coarse stew that originated in Nice, France.
The recipe has many different variations, but it usually includes plenty of tomatoes, some onion, zucchini, garlic, and capsicum. These vegetables are often cooked together with olive oil and seasoned with thyme, oregano, marjoram, basil, and bay leaf.
Ratatouille is a versatile dish that can be served as a complete meal simply as it is with a chunk of bread or used as a pasta sauce. It can also be used as a side for chicken or eggs.
How is the perfect Ratatouille made?
Homemade ratatouille, like any food worth eating, takes a little effort and plenty of time. The ingredients may differ slightly, but the basic recipe must consist of most of the mentioned items.
Of course, you can add or subtract any vegetables depending on your taste buds. Use fresh, firm vegetables. The tomatoes are best if they are very ripe.
Ratatouille is made at the end of the summer season when the vegetables are at their peak. If you have access to fresh produce from your home garden or a farmers’ market, this will produce the best result.
There are two distinct ways of cooking it. You can either put all the vegetables together or cook them separately. The choice depends on each cook.
Purists insist that each vegetable must be cooked separately so that their flavors don’t mix. The vegetables are cooked in olive oil. Try to use a good, fruity, extra-virgin olive oil as this will make a great difference to your result.
Sauté the vegetables separately in a little oil with the seasoning, then combine and simmer them together at the end. Add the herbes de Provence towards the end of the cooking time, so their delicate flavors are not lost.
What Does Ratatouille Taste Like?
You should be able to taste every ingredient separately while eating a perfectly made ratatouille. The flavor of ratatouille is unique and difficult to explain.
Perhaps a little like a Neapolitan sauce? It is a blend of acidity from the tomatoes, sweetness from the other vegetables, richness from the aubergine, fruitiness from the olive oil, and freshness from the herbs.
The cooked eggplant will not be bitter but will end up with a rich flavor if simmered. It helps to choose young brinjal for this dish rather than an old one full of seeds.
Zucchini lends a smooth sweetness, while the mellow garlic tones should hover in the background but not be overpowering. Tomatoes are the top source of flavor in this dish.
Pick the freshest and ripest tomatoes you can get so that they will be sweet rather than acidic. Many people think that vegetables have a bland taste. Such people should try ratatouille!
Ratatouille can be eaten cold or hot. To maximize its flavor, make it the day before you want to serve it. Then, make a double batch because you’re going to love it!
Here’s a simple ratatouille recipe for you to try:
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 aubergine, cut into cubes
- 2 baby marrows, cut into cubes
- 2 red peppers, seeded and cubed
- 3 very ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- A few sprigs of fresh basil
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme leaves stripped
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over a medium flame. Add the aubergine, courgettes, and red pepper. Fry until golden brown and soft. Remove the veg and put them in a bowl.
Put the rest of the oil in the pot and add the onion, garlic, thyme leaves. Fry until soft and slightly colored. Put the first veg back in the pot and add all the tomatoes with some salt and pepper.
Cover the pot and cook slowly for about half an hour until reduced and caramelized. Tear the basil leaves and add them.
Although the dish became an overnight sensation through the movie, it was well known in France even before this. There, ratatouille is enjoyed mainly as a side dish rather than a main dish.
The dish requires little expertise, patience, and time, but the result is definitely worth the effort. If you prefer, find a French restaurant near you to experience what ratatouille tastes like.
Enjoy the fresh, tangy taste of this unique and brightly colored dish! Bon appétit!