Caponata

• 7 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, cut into small dice
• 1 small or medium red onion, cut into small dice
• 2 medium-size tomatoes, quartered, squeezed, and seeded and cut into small dice
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 8 leaves basil, cut in chiffonade
• 2 tablespoons chopped thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Stock or low-salt canned vegetable broth
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small dice
• 1 small red or orange bell pepper, cut into small dice
• 1/2 large eggplant, cut into small dice (about 3 cups)
• 1 medium zucchini, outside only cut into small dice
• 1 medium yellow squash, outside only, cut into small dice
• 15 cured black olives (such as nicoise), pitted and cut into small dice
• 1 tablespoon crushed capers
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• Double-cut lamb chops and polenta
• In place of ratatouille, with any dish
• Seared and roasted chicken breasts

1. Preheat the oven to 300F.
2. In a large ovenproof saucepan or casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat until shimmering.
3. Saute the garlic, onion, and red onion until the onions are transparent, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, thyme, and stock and bring to a simmer.
5. Season with salt and pepper and continue simmering.
6. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil and saute the carrots and bell pepper until just tender, 3 minutes.
7. Season them with salt and pepper and add to the simmering tomato mixture.
8. Add another 2 tablespoons of the oil, heat until smoking, and saute the eggplant until just tender, about 2 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper and add to the simmering tomato mixture.
10. In the same skillet you used for the eggplant, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat until shimmering.
11. Add the zucchini and yellow squash and saute until tender, about 2 minutes.
12. Season with salt and pepper and add to the simmering tomato mixture.
13. Add the olives and capers and mix well.
14. Cover and bake 1 hour.
15. Add the vinegar, taste, and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.

virgin olive oil, garlic, onion, red onion, tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, thyme, vegetable stock, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, carrots, red, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, cured black olives, capers, balsamic vinegar, chops, chicken breasts

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/caponata-3 (may not work)