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You are here: Home / Recipes / Appetizers / Ratatouille Nicoise

Ratatouille Nicoise

September 25, 2013 Updated February 11, 2019 15 Comments

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When my bee keeper neighbor picked two beautiful eggplant from his garden and handed them to me, the only thing that went through my mind was “Ratatouille”.  Everyone knows that ratatouille is best when all of the ingredients have been locally grown or even better picked from your own garden.  The only thing my garden was lacking was egg plant (thanks Kenny).

As you know I STRONGLY believe in supporting our local farmers and growers.  If you don’t have a garden of your own, please visit a farmers market and purchase the fresh produce for this recipe OR be lucky to have neighbor good gardeners.

Several years ago my husband and I surprised out then 16 year old daughter with a trip to France.  We were staying in the Provence town of Avignon.  What a beautiful town.  We had chosen to eat at a lovely cafe where we had a fabulous view of Palais des Papes.  I decided that I was going to order locally inspired dishes from the menu.  I had a lovely fresh salad, ratatouille, Beef Daube and lavender creme brulee.  A perfect meal for our location.  The ratatouille was memorable.

Years later while attending a French cooking class, we were taught how to make a Provencal ratatouille. This recipe most resembled what I had eaten in Avignon.  This recipe comes from the same Chef that shared the Zucchini Gratin.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

 

You will need to grow the following in your garden or visit a local farmers market:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions
4 red and yellow pepper
5 garden fresh tomatoes
1-2 heads of garlic
2 large eggplants or 4-6 Japanese eggplant
1 rib celery
2 bay leaves
fresh thyme sprigs
fresh parsley sprigs
strip of orange peel
2-4 small zucchini
salt and pepper
fresh basil

 

Peel onion and chop two large onions.

 

 

 

Add 1/4 cup olive oil to a large heavy pot.

 

Add onions and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

 

Add vegetables in order of preparing beginning with peppers.

 

Seed, de-rib and chop peppers.  I’m using green and red peppers instead of red and yellow because that’s what I have in my garden.

 

 

 

Add to the sauteed onions.

 

Peel, seed and chop 5 tomatoes.

 

 

Add to pot with peppers.

 

Peel 1-2 heads of garlic.

 

 

Add to pot.

 

Cut eggplant into cubes.

 

 

 

 

Add to pot.

 

Add 1 tablespoon of salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper.

 

Turn heat up to medium and bring to a simmer.

 

To make the bouqet garni:

Take two 2-3 inch pieces of celery.

 

Add the bay leaves.

 

Strip of orange zest.

 

Add a fresh bunch of thyme.

 

Add a bunch of fresh parsley.

 

Top with remaining celery.

 

Tie together.

 

Add to simmering vegetables.  Push  down into the veggies.

 

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes of medium heat.

 

Meanwhile, chop the zucchini.

 

 

After 30 minutes add to pot of simmering vegetables.

 

Cover and simmer for 1-2 hours depending on how large you have chopped the vegetables.  I thought one hour was enough.

 

Remove lid.

 

Pour ratatouille into a strainer and strain off all of the juices.

 

Remove bouquet garni and discard.

 

Return juices to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer.

 

Slowly simmer until the juices have caramelized and is a dark amber color.

 

Pour over ratatouille.

 

Drizzle with the best olive oil you have and add a few grinds of pepper.

 

 

Chop fresh basil including blossoms.

 

Sprinkle on top of Ratatouille.

 

Ratatouille is French rustic comfort food for fall.

You must eat Ratatouille at least once in your lifetime!

4.8 from 5 votes
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Ratatouille Nicoise

Ratatouille is French rustic comfort food for fall. You must eat Ratatouille at least once in your lifetime!
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Keyword how to make ratatouille, ratatouille nicoise, ratatouille nicoise recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 90 kcal
Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 large onions chopped
  • 4 red and yellow pepper seeded, deribbed and chopped
  • 5 garden fresh tomatoes peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 1-2 heads of garlic peeled left whole
  • 2 large eggplants or 4-6 Japanese eggplant cut into cubes
  • 1 rib celery 2 2-3 inch slices
  • 2 bay leaves
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh parsley
  • strip of orange peel
  • 2-4 small zucchini cut into cubes
  • kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
  • fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Warm 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over low heat.  Add the onions and let them soften for 10 minutes or so.  As you prepare the other vegetables, add them in turn, with the exception of the zucchini; start with the peppers first.  After the additional of the eggplant, raise the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt.  Stir well.  As it begins to boil turn the heat to low.  Make the bouquet garni by placing the bay, thyme, parlsey, orange peel then another in between the two pieces of celery and tie together. Press the bouquet garni into the center, cover and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile prepare zucchini and after 30 minutes add to simmer vegetables.  Gently pressing down on zucchini.  Cover and let simmer for 1-2 hours.  Remove from heat and drain the vegetables in a strainer, catching the juices in a heavy saucepan.  Discard the bouquet garni.  Bring the juices to a boil oh medium high until they have reduced to a thick syrup.  Continue to add any accumulated juices from the draining vegetables.  Pour the vegetables in a large bowl; our the syrup on top and gently stir.  Drizzle with olive oil and a few grinds of pepper.  Garnish with fresh basil leaves and basil blossoms.
Nutrition Facts
Ratatouille Nicoise
Amount Per Serving
Calories 90 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 542mg15%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 750IU15%
Vitamin C 53.1mg64%
Calcium 27mg3%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Healthy, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: Appetizers, side dishes, vegan, vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aubree lowery says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:14 am

    thank you so much! I have to make some native french dishes for school and this will definitely be one of them.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      December 13, 2020 at 1:38 am

      Awesome! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  2. Erin Brady says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    Where do you get your bay leaves? They look amazing!

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      September 14, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      I generally buy my herbs from San Francisco Herb Co or Penzy’s Spices. Both have online ordering. San Francisco is by far the least expensive.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    April 15, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    We were recently in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, and everywhere we went served Ratatouille Nicoise — sometimes with beef, sometimes with fish — it was in so many restaurants and we loved it. Thanks for giving us a recipe to work with.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      April 19, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      I hope this recipe can be a comparable substitute. The vegetables in southern France are superior to anywhere else. I hope it turns out fabulous for you.

      Reply
  4. Danhiskka says

    September 30, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Oh, it was so good! Since the rabbit was from a farm it was sweet and tender, but didn't hace much taste, so I used the liver and kidneys in the sauce. I know that is not very common in the US to use the insides, but the earthy flavor from those is divine.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      September 30, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      You are amazing.

      Reply
  5. Danhiskka says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Do you want to know something great about the end of the winter? RABBITS! I just can't wait to get out of this office, get home y cook that beauty that is resting in my fridge.
    In hot months we cook it with onions, carrots, pepper corns, bay leaves, salt and vinegar, and we eat it cold with some crispy salad. But since is still quite cold, I'm making a ragú with creamy polenta.
    CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!!

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      September 29, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      I have to admit that I have never had rabbit, but I will ANYTHING served with creamy polenta. It's probably my favorite food. This just sounds amazing and perfect for a warming meal.

      Reply
  6. Danhiskka says

    September 27, 2013 at 4:09 am

    I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!
    I have never been able to make a perfect ratatouille, but I bet that this one is going to be amazing. Now I just have to wait for my tomatos and zucchinis (I'm growing vegetables! yay!) to be ready to harvest.
    Big kiss,

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      September 29, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      Wow! I've never felt so loved. I hope you love the ratatouille and can feel french while eating it.

      Reply
  7. Colleen Meehan says

    September 26, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    WOW-this looks better than words can even say-I WILL be making this ASAP-thank you-can't wait.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      September 27, 2013 at 3:01 am

      Merci

      Reply
4.80 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Janet Barton

Hi I'm Janet and this is where I share my delicious made-from-scratch seasonal recipes that I make at home for my family every day.

I believe cooking from scratch, using unprocessed and whole foods is an important part of healthy eating. My goal is to help you create amazing recipes by providing easy step-by-step photos and instructions.

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