As someone who loves her vegetables, I’m always looking for interesting ways to eat them – aside from salads. So I was beyond intrigued when I found this recipe from Slate.com for rustic, French classic – ratatouille (pronounced rat-a-TOO-ee). I’ve made ratatouille before, but I’ve never had results that were anything to write home about.
This dish traditionally includes eggplant, zucchini, red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic … but this particular recipe included a twist – oil-cured olives. I knew I had to try it and I had the perfect occasion – le Salon.
What is le Salon, you ask?
For the last couple years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be included in a secret society of women who meet monthly to try our clever little hands at various projects. Most of the time, it’s food related; we’ve made chocolate truffles, homemade mozzarella cheese, Indian chana masala and a whole host of other yummy dishes. But really, it’s mostly an excuse to eat carbs, drink wine and catch up with girlfriends. Obviously, ratatouille was perfect for le Salon.
The “secret” to the yummiest ratatouille I’ve ever made. That, and sharing it with girlfriends.
Al fresco was the only way to enjoy this late Summer meal.
Here it is – the final result. Delicious? Oui-oui.
So, how did the ratatouille turn out? Amazingly delicious – one of those dishes you wished you’d made a double batch of so you can savor it again the following day. The perfect palate of buttery eggplant, bright tomatoes and peppers, with sweet saltiness from the olives. This was my first time tasting oil-cured olives; try them, you can actually taste the fruit instead of just salt.
We paired it with mimosas and chevre cheese with baguette and crackers. But, really, it was the camaraderie and conversation which complimented the meal most – and there’s just no substitute for friends and laughter over a great meal.
