Ratatouille

I tried this french stew recipe first time after watching Disney’s famous “Ratatouille” movie. Just love that movie, makes me fall in love with cooking again and again. This time I did not try to make it movie style recipe,  instead tried to prepare a classic Ratatouille with cilantro Rice. After all its a comfort food and it tastes as good as the good looking counterpart. This recipe is full of veggies and nutrients.

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 1 Hr

Total time: 1 Hr 20 mins

Serves: 4

Recipe type: Main course

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Ingredients For Ratatouille:

• 2 Zucchini
• 2-3 small Eggplant/Aubergine
• 8 ripened tomatoes
• 2 Bell pepper yellow/Red
• 1 Large onion
• 1 small Potato
• 1/2 Bunch fresh Basil
• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Vinegar
• Lemon zest
• Salt

Ingredients For Cilantro Rice:

• 1 1/2 cup white rice
• Chopped Cilantro
• Mixed herbs
• Garlic salt
• Olive oil
• Black paper
• Salt

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For Ratatouille:

1. Slice Zucchini and eggplant. Cut onion into wedges. Roughly chop 4 tomatoes and bell peppers and potatoes.
2. Cook tomatoes and chopped potatoes in boiling water for 10 min and take it out.Roughly chop cooked tomatoes.
3. In a large casserole take 2 tablespoon oil and fry zucchini, egg plant and bell peppers for 5-6 minutes. Do it in batches and transfer to a bowl.

1. In the same casserole add some olive oil and add chopped basil stalk, onions and fry till onions are soft and translucent. Add cooked vegetables back to casserole.
2. Add chopped tomatoes both raw and cooked, salt, vinegar and good amount of crushed black paper.
3. Cover casserole and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes check its consistency, it should be reduced and sticky.
4. Add chopped basil leaves and lemon zest.

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For Cilantro Rice:

1. Boil water in stock pot and add rice and salt. Cook till its Al dente, basically make sure its almost cooked so that when we stir fry it it does not become mushy. Drain water from rice in a colander and keep aside.
2. In a wok or big pan heat olive oil on medium heat. Add chopped cilantro and mixed dry herbs and chilli flakes. Immediately add cooked rice and mix well.
3. Add garlic salt and black paper and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally.Serve hot with Ratatouille.