Ratatouille Recipe

Ratatouille
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients
2 large aubergines
2 medium red onions
4 small green or yellow courgettes
3 red or yellow peppers
5 large ripe tomatoes
4 tablespoon of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
Leaves of fresh basil
Salt and pepper seasoning

Recipe
Prepare the vegetables as follows: Cut the aubergines into half inch slices. Place the pieces in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and mix in. Put a plate over the top, leave for about 30 minutes so any bitterness is drawn out. Peel, slice and quarter the onions. Cut the courgettes into one inch slices, and then into halves. Core and deseed the peppers and slice. Skin the tomatoes, take out the seeds too if preferred, and chop.

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and crushed garlic, and simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the courgettes and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then add the peppers, keep stirring gently while simmering. Rinse off the aubergines thoroughly to remove the salt, pat the aubergine slices dry with kitchen paper, and add them to the mixture. Stir well.

Now add the basil and seasoning of salt and pepper, stir again, and then simmer very gently, with the saucepan lid on for about 10 to 15 minutes, until soft. Finally add the tomato, adjust the seasoning to taste, and simmer for another 10 minutes

Suggestions
Serve with Soda bread