ratatouille's ratatouille

Ever since we watched the brilliant Pixar movie "Ratatouille", I knew I had to make it! Traditionally, ratatouille is a peasant vegetable "stew", but honestly, Thomas Keller's adaptation of this dish (a tian) has taken this to a new level. Simple healthy ingredients, impressive looking and absolutely satisfying. It's nice to try to buy all the vegetables the same diameter (easier to stack and layer), which is why I specify an Asian eggplant/aubergine. It's only because they are skinnier, but any one will work. You'll find that just a few veggies goes a long way. This is one of my all-time favorite dishes to prepare with children of any age!

2-3 fresh tomatoes, pureed with a pinch of sea salt

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

3 tsp fresh thyme, basil, parsley, and/or oregano, finely chopped

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 Asian eggplant/aubergine

1 small zucchini

1 small yellow/summer squash

2-3 small plum tomatoes

1⁄2 red bell pepper, deseeded

Sea salt and pepper

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