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?