One Pot Wonders: Ratatouille

Another reason I looove One Pot Wonders is the fact that no matter the recipe, it always tastes better the next day!  It's something about leaving it in the fridge to let the flavors combine so perfectly that just gets me.

One Pot Wonders Day 3 is Ratatouille.  I started making and thoroughly enjoying this dish after the Pixar movie hit the screen in 2007.  It's one of my favorite movies.  When Dave and I got rid of cable TV two years ago to save up for opening our chiropractic office, we watched Ratatouille and No Reservations every weekend there for a good 2 months straight.  Love them both!  Rent them if you haven't seen 'em yet.  :)

Ratatouille
Makes 6 Servings

2 Tbsp coconut oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large organic eggplant, unpeeled & diced
1 cup organic button mushrooms, sliced
2 organic green bell peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
1 medium organic zucchini, halved & sliced
2 cups organic chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 Tbsp dried basil
1/3 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine (CORE) or 1/2 cup vegetable broth (ADVANCED)
3 cups organic crushed tomatoes (glass jarred is best or Eden brand canned)
4 oz raw goat cheese (optional)

1. ) Heat oil in dutch oven over Medium heat.  Add garlic and cook about 1 minute, until fragrant.  Add eggplant, mushrooms, green bell peppers, onion, zucchini and basil.  Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2.)  Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine.  Turn heat to Medium-Low and simmer until veggies are cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3.)  Stir in chick peas.  Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes to reduce liquid, stirring occasionally.  Season to taste with sea salt and pepper.  Serve.  ** You can prepare up 2 days ahead of time and refrigerate/freeze.  Thaw completely before baking.**

4.)  Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spread ratatouille in 9-inch round or 8x8" glass casserole dish.  Bake about 20 minutes, until center is heated thru.  Spoon onto plates.  Top with goat cheese (optional).  Serve.


Other optional additions:  Replace the chickpeas with shredded chicken or turkey.  Add in a handful of chopped olives before baking.