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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Baked Ratatouille


Before I came to UK and Europe I was so busy that I didn't blog about the food that I've been cooking. Though being busy on a lot things didn't hinder me to still cook the dishes I want to concoct. Cooking is one thing I won't get tired doing no matter how busy and tired I am after a whole day of work in the office. So having said that, I want to post the very first dish I baked in my newly acquired oven which was given to me by the owner of my apartment. They decided to buy one for me instead of me buying it because of the fact that I am renting a fully furnished apartment, so I think the owner just did the right gesture.

Inspired by the French cuisine since I visited Paris last October, I finally decided to make Ratatouille for the first time when I came home from my trip. And not to mess with the recipe, I baked it! Going back a few years ago, people became more familiar with the dish when an American animated film made it as a title. The film is about Remy a rat who wants to be a chef and be in the heat of the kitchen. Sounds gross but it appeared a little cute. Then people from around the world were surprised to find out that it's a famous vegetable dish from France. Ratatouille came from the Occitan word "ratatolha" of the Occitan cuisine. While touiller means "to toss food" This dish originated from Provence and Nice and spreading its different version around France and the entire globe.

There are different versions of doing this dish, I adapted the version of Julia Child which insisted the layering style. Ratatouille can be eaten with breads or filling for crepes. A really nice and interesting food for the vegetarian or vegan people. The vegan can eliminate the use of butter to eat this dish. So let me begin sharing this Ratatouille Nicoise & Provencal recipe...


BAKED RATATOUILLE

Ingredients:

• Aubergine
• Zucchini
• Butternut Squash
• Plump Tomatoes
• Red & Yellow Capsicums
• Thyme/ Marjoram/
• Paprika/ Pepper/ Salt
• Garlic
• Fresh Basil
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Olive Oil
• Butter (of course)

Procedure:

Cut the vegetables according to shape like the aubergine, zucchini and tomatoes. For the Butternut Squash and Capsicum, cut it diagonally. After cutting all your vegetables, prepare a large bowl. Put all the vegetables together then start adding the crushed Garlic, Thyme, Marjoram, Paprika, Pepper, Salt and Olive Oil. Toss them together then prepare an oval or circular ceramic baking tray. Add some butter on the tray then start arranging all the vegetables together in layers as Julia Child did in her cookbooks. Then pour in the remaining sauce it created in the bowl while tossing it. Top it with some butter, grated mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Bake it on 350F from 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the volume of you are cooking.

This is for all the people who are

Vegans &
Vegetarians!


Bon appétit à tous mes!

big hug,
joanie xxx

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Yum Yum Joanie, this is the time of year for that dish with the summer vegetables so good!

Anonymous said...

I love this baked version of ratatouille! Thanks for sharing.

ollie said...

hello and Happy New Year 2011~!
wishing you a joyful new year and more achievement and success :)

Joanie said...

• Ohhh Mama Joy I have to be inspired with Jamie's summer recipes!

•Always welcome Ellie. Thanks for dropping by.

•Thanks Oliver Khoo! Have a bleesed New Year :)

Debbie Martin said...

Happy New Year Joanie!
Paprika must be your favorite spice? Tastes wonderful in the Ratatouille, I guess. Hey I'm a bit excited with the turkey...post it!!!!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Oh I am so making this like NOW~! Just found your blog- its amazing and i will be back often! Would love to have you visit my food blog if you get the chance. I love meeting new foodie lovers! XO
Jessica
www.kitchenbelleicious.com

Joanie said...

Hi Jessica... nice to meet you as well. Looking forward visiting your blog and I love interacting with fellow foodies as well. ciao! :)

Unknown said...

Such a fabulous recipe. Love the Blog .. keep posting!

Joanie said...

Hi Ms. Vanessa thanks for stopping by. Your website is beefed up with some yummy stuff I like! :)

Amanda said...

oh yum... this looks amazing! i love ratatouille, but i've never prepared it baked. mmm!

-amanda@seegirlcook.com

Joanie said...

Thanks for visiting Amanda...
Yeah it's quite a different Ratatouille but still the same good flavor and taste :)