Looking to explore French cuisine or just need a summer-friendly recipe? Ratatouille is a must-try. This classic Provençal stew is easy to prepare and highlights fresh summer vegetables with fragrant herbs.
Ratatouille can be cooked traditionally in a pan or simplified by roasting all the veggies on a sheet pan. Kyra Sedgwick, the actor and director, prefers the latter method. She recently shared her version of ratatouille on Instagram, revealing that her recipe includes some unique ingredients like jalapeño and olives. Her husband, actor Kevin Bacon, praised the dish, calling it “amazing.”
To make Sedgwick’s spicy ratatouille, you will need:
3 medium or large zucchini
3 medium or large squash
2 medium eggplants
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 jalapeño
4 shallots
1 pint cherry tomatoes
20 kalamata olives, pitted
Extra-virgin olive oil
Cumin
Chili powder
Coriander
Salt
Black pepper
Fresh basil
Fresh thyme
Instructions:
Chop the zucchini, squash, eggplant, peppers, and shallots into large, thin pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl. This helps the vegetables cook quickly while retaining a pleasing texture.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil to coat them evenly. Season with about a teaspoon each of cumin and coriander, plus a pinch of salt and chili powder.
Mix the vegetables with the seasonings, then add the cherry tomatoes and olives. Stir to combine.
Spread the mixture on a sheet pan coated with olive oil and bake at 350°F for one hour.
Once the vegetables are tender, remove the pan from the oven and top with fresh basil and thyme.
Serve the ratatouille in bowls for a flavorful, simple meal with a hint of heat.
For added protein, consider topping your ratatouille with goat cheese or pairing it with Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas. It also pairs well with dishes like Lemony-Garlic Pan-Seared Salmon or a side of Basic Quinoa.
The recipe’s vegetables provide numerous health benefits. Zucchini is rich in carotenoids, supporting bone, eye, and heart health. Tomatoes offer fiber, antioxidants, and benefits for heart, skin, and digestive health. Bell peppers also contain carotenoids that aid brain, eye, and digestive health.
If health benefits aren’t enough to convince you, the combination of tender vegetables, mild spices, and herbs is sure to be a hit. This ratatouille is a great addition to any summer meal rotation, alongside other favorites like Grilled Summer Vegetable Panzanella and Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad.
