Saturday, February 9, 2013

Warm Up to a Bowl of Ratatouille!

Winter storm Nemo spared our area, with just about 5 inches of snow after an anticipated foot or more. We were prepared for a bigger dumping, but are relieved because it could have been much more difficult, realizing that coastal areas of New York and New England really got hit hard.  Russ (my bf) is in Bridgeport, CT, this weekend, and that area is in a state of emergency with reports of up to 3 feet of snow!

Figuring that this would be a snow-bound weekend, I prepared a big pot of ratatouille.  It's such a simple recipe, basically a stew/soup of chunky vegetables immersed in a tomato sauce.  In the middle of winter, it's like a warm serving of summer with a sprinkling of parmesan.  We're so fortunate to find fresh vegetables like zucchini and peppers in February!  And even better, it's so completely healthy!  With just a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, the vegetables join together to eventually simmer into a beautiful medley of fresh flavor. I can't wait to wrap my hands around a warm bowl!  (I even added some of the vegetables from the pot to an egg-white omelet this morning, making for a mighty fine breakfast!)


My car under the snow!


Here's my version of the recipe, with a couple of photos to bring summer's color to this snowy-white day!




RATATOUILLE

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sweet onions, cut in wedges
2 small zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices
2 small yellow squash, cut in 1/2 inch slices
1 each -- green, red, yellow peppers, cut in 1/2 inch chunks
8 ounces mushrooms (I used baby bella)
2 cans crushed tomatoes
1 4 ounce can tomato paste, with seasoning (Italian herbs, etc.)
3 cups water or vegetable stock
Parmesan cheese

Add olive oil to large, heavy pot or dutch oven.  Add cut-up vegetables and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables wilt and zucchini and squash are translucent.  Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and mushrooms.  Add water or stock.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer slowly, stirring now and then, for a few hours.





Serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.


17 comments:

  1. one of my favorite,s looks awesome Jeanie . enjoy you weekend .sharron eddy cataldo

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    1. It's one of my favorites, too, and I don't know why I don't make it more often! It will be on my table more often from now on! Hope you have a great weekend as well, Sharoon!

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  2. Looks absolutely delicious, Jeannie! The veggie photo is so vibrant and pretty! Enjoy your weekend, and have a big bowl of ratatouille for me!!!

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    1. Thanks, Carol! My little camera does a pretty good job! You have a great weekend too!

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  3. Yummy yummy. We got about the same amount of snow here too! What a relief!

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    1. Yep, Dallas, we dodged the worst of this storm, that's for sure!

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  4. Looks yummy Jeannie, I've never made it but I will now that I have your recipe. Thanks. Enjoy ur weekend

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    1. I think you'll really like this recipe, Joanne. Give it a try - so simple, and full of good stuff! Have a great weekend!

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  5. Yum, yum, I might even try that out here in sunny Hawaii, looks and sounds so delicious and really easy. #1 son will even like that, and I have found a bakery with yummy Italian bread to accompany it. Happy your snow totals were so much less than predicted.
    Sue

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    1. Sue, I've been thinking of you every day since you left. Just got your email. You'd love this ratatouille, and it is SO healthy! So good to hear from you. Enjoy every second in sunny Waikiki!!! xox

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  6. I love ratatouille! It makes the entire house smell so great when it's cooking and the fact that it's actually good for you is an added bonus! My recipe is very similar to yours Jeannie...the only thing that is different is that I sprinkle some fennel seeds in...makes it taste like there is italian sausage in there!

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    1. Ooh, I'm going to add fennel seeds next time! Thanks for that tip!

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  7. Beautiful colors! Sometimes that is what makes a dish something you just WANT to eat - the colors. Hope Russ did ok during Nemo and that he was able to make it out ok after the weekend.

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    1. Thanks Kim! It is colorful, and that's a good thing to strive for, colorful food! Russ was snowed in for a couple of days until their street was finally plowed, but all is well now. Thanks for thinking of him!

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  8. I made this over the weekend, which was very cold here, and we enjoyed it for 2 nights. As with all stews it was best on night #2 and I have enough left to eat for lunch - yeah!!! Great recipe, enjoyed with some bread and that was it - very satisfying.

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    1. Betty, I'm so glad! I love this recipe, and very happy that you and your family enjoyed it! Appreciate your comment!

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  9. Sounds great - and so much easier than roasting all the veggies on baking sheets then simmering with cheese and sauce to finish (my usual ratatouille)!

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