Ratatouille! :P

All right! Now for some FOOD!  Why?
'Cuz it's dinner time and I CAN. :P

Ever wanted to make great ratatouille?

Yeah, i'm talking about that dish that the movie was named after, about the rat, Remy, who goes to cook in a fabulous french restaurant, and he makes au ratatouille!  Delicious dish, too, and it can either be baked or fried in a pan.  I prefer the fried version, and boy, is it ever a filler! (Very colorful. ;) And really easy to make too! The best part?  It's versatile.  Classic Ratatouille only requires 4 vegetables, but you can add as many or as few or you want!

Already, so here is the principle recipe:

1 medium zucchini (Sliced)
1 bell pepper (Sliced)
1 medium eggplant (diced into 1/2 inch blocks)
1 large tomato (or 3-4 roma tomatoes) (Sliced or died to your preference. I prefer large slices)
Garlic clove (optional. Adds lovely flavor. :)

Olive oil or butter
Basil
Thyme
Other desired herbs

salt/pepper

In a large saucepan on medium heat, melt 2 TB butter or olive oil. Once heated, add chopped zucchini and bellpepper, along with garlic clove, if desired. These two vegetables take the longest to cook (about 10 minutes) so you want to add those first. After about 3-5 minutes, add eggplant, then cook for 2-3 more minutes. Add tomato slices. Don't let the tomato cook for too long or they will get mushy (Along with the rest of the vegetables). Add basil and thyme, and some salt, or garlic salt, and pepper. Again, season to taste.

And enjoy!!!!  You can also add onions if you like (Add those with the zucchini and bellpepper) and I like mushrooms in mine too! I usually add about 4-5 mushrooms, and they don't take very long to cook, so I usually add them with the eggplant.  Whatever you like and however you like it! It's amazing. And very filling I might add. You can add as many of the different vegetables as you want, depending on how much you want to eat and how many you are serving. This particular recipe serves 4-6 medium/large servings.  It's an excellent side dish to a meal with steak or other meat, but it also makes a great main dish, and you can even put it on pasta and it's just as great! It's also great with parmesan or mozzarella cheese. :D:D