Oven Ratatouille
- 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large globe eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch cubes (peeling unnecessary if the skin is tight and smooth)
- 2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cored
- 6 medium-sized garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 2 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
- 2 cups coarsely chopped onion
- 1 medium zucchini (7 to 8 inches long), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon each crumbled dried thyme and rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Small amounts of fresh herbs (basil, marjoram or oregano, rosemary, thyme, and/or parsley)
- Pitted chopped olives
- 1).
- Arrange an oven rack in the topmost position, and another in the middle of the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 425F.
- Line 1 small and 2 large baking trays with foil, and coast the foil generously with the olive oil.
- 2).
- Place the eggplant on one of the large trays, and toss to coat with oil.
- Then push it to one side, keeping it in a single layer.
- Arrange the tomatoes on the other half of the tray, rolling them around so they get coated with oil.
- Wrap the garlic cloves (still in their skins) and a half teaspoon of water tightly in a piece of foil, and place this on the corner of the same tray.
- 3).
- Place the whole bell peppers on the small tray.
- 4).
- Spread the onions and the zucchini pieces on opposite ends of the remaining large tray, and toss to coat with the oil.
- 5).
- Place the eggplant tray on the middle shelf of the oven, and put the small sheet with the peppers on the upper rack.
- After 10 minutes, use tongs to turn everything over.
- Repeat this turning process after another 10 minutes or so.
- Gently squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft.
- If it is, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting.
- 6).
- Place the onion-zucchini tray on the middle shelf next to the one with the eggplant, and continue roasting all for another 10 minutes.
- Turn the peppers and tomatoes one more time, and toss the eggplant, onions, and zucchini to help them brown evenly.
- Sprinkle the eggplant, onions, and zucchini evenly with the dried herbs.
- Once again, squeeze the garlic to see if it is soft.
- If so, remove it from the oven; if not, continue roasting.
- Roast a final 10 minutes, or until the vegetables become deep golden brown and very tender.
- 7).
- Transfer the eggplant, onion, and zucchini to a large bowl.
- Let the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic sit for a few minutes, or until comfortable to handle.
- Peel the peppers, then chop the tomatoes and peeled peppers roughly into 1-inch pieces and add to the eggplant mixture.
- Slip the roasted garlic clovers from their skins, mash with a fork, and add to the eggplant mixture.
- 8).
- Toss until well combined.
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled plain or topped with a sprinkling of freshly chopped herbs and/or olives.
extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, bell peppers, onion, zucchini, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, amounts of fresh herbs, olives
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/oven-ratatouille (may not work)