Foodie French Friday: Ratatouille
This Foodie French Friday, we are talking Ratatouille {rah tah too-ee}.
While it happens to be the title of an adorable movie with a French cartoon mouse- it also happens to be a delicious French dish!
According to the book:
" Recorded in French since 1778, ratatouille finds its roots in the verb touiller (to stir), a tern mainly used in the kitchen. The first definition of ratatouille was far from flattering, as it referred to a course stew, possibly made by stirring together anything one could come across in the larder.
Only later did it become a southern specialty often associated with the seaside city of Nice and made with vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes, slowly cooked in olive oil and seasoned with laurel, rosemary and thyme (known as Herbes de Provence).
Though the result is mush, the taste is quite unique and without an equal in English, and so the term was finally borrowed in 1877 to describe this peculiar dish. Cooking each vegetable separately is recommended for best results, but the quicker stir-it-all-at-once version is also acceptable. Tradition holds that ratatouille is even tastier when reheated the following day and may also be served as a cold entrée. "
I don't know about you but I love this dish! It's a great addition to a vegetarian household!
I scoured the Internets for a recipe and found a delicious one, a chunky Niçoise version, complete with mouth-watering pictures over at La Tartine Gourmande.
Have you tried Ratatouille? What did you think?
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May 15th, 2009
I have heard of this dish but have never tried it and will have to give it a go this summer when the veges from my garden are ready. The picture reminds me of the colors in the Italian flag ;o)
Don’t a lot of dishes taste better the next day – after all the flavors have a chance to meld? I think so!
May 15th, 2009
Um, yes! Especially sauce, um , of should I say *gravy* ? Ha!
May 18th, 2009
As a vegetarian I have to thank you for that delicious photo. I’ll give the recipe a try!
May 18th, 2009
Oh good- pseudo-hubs is a veggie too- so we have quite a few recipes floating around here. Hope you are well cherie
May 19th, 2009
I love ratatouille since it’s vegan. I prefer it warm, though, as opposed to serving it as a cold entrée. And I like to experiment and eat it with a different type of pasta each time. Serving it with homebaked bread it also really tasty!
May 20th, 2009
Mmm, the homemade bread is making my mouth water
May 21st, 2009
Yes, it IS best eaten the next day, in my humble opinion.
I am currently growing the ingredients in my little Oxfordshire garden, goodness me, aubergines take a long time to produce fruit!
PS I found you via Norway, isn’t cyberspace full if interesting twists and turns!
May 21st, 2009
Its a family staple for Us I do it once a week as the vedgies for a main dish. I prefer it cooked up together, but I dont use peppers or onions.