France is one of the world’s great culinary powerhouses. And it’s from there that this simple, budget-friendly, and easy to make dish comes one that will instantly transport you to the sunny French Riviera.
Slow down the French way and savor both the meal and the people you share it with.
Alongside our ratatouille recipe (pronounced rat-a-too-ee), we’d also love to inspire you with a touch of French dining culture. In France, meals are more than food they’re an opportunity to meet with family, friends, or even work colleagues. The goal? To savor, to connect, to enjoy the moment… and absolutely never rush.
Especially when it comes to this legendary French classic (which even inspired its own Pixar movie) a humble yet flavorful dish made from Mediterranean vegetables: tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and eggplant, ideally in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. Pair it with a fresh, crusty baguette and you’ve got yourself a little slice of France on your plate.
A light, versatile dish perfect for any diet
You can serve ratatouille as a side dish or appetizer or enjoy it as a light dinner that satisfies without weighing you down. Unlike a heavy, meat-based meal, it’s easier to digest, so it won’t burden your stomach before bed. That means better sleep and a more refreshed morning.
Another idea? Use ratatouille as a delicious savory filling for crêpes.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
- Olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 shallot
- 250 ml canned peeled crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Herbes de Provence
- 1 small eggplant
- 2 bell peppers
- 3 tomatoes
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 6 sprigs of thyme
- 20 g butter
- Salt
- Ground pepper
For serving:
- 1 baguette
- 50 g goat cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Lightly crush the peeled garlic clove with the flat side of a knife. Sauté it with finely chopped shallot in olive oil until softened and fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Remove the garlic from the pan. Add crushed tomatoes, Herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. Simmer briefly until the sauce thickens slightly. Spread the sauce over the bottom of a round or oval baking dish.
- Prepare the vegetables. Slice the eggplant, zucchinis, tomatoes, and peppers into thin, even rounds a mandoline works great for this. Stack the slices into small towers and arrange them upright in the baking dish until full.
- Drizzle the arranged vegetables generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves.
- To prevent burning, cut a round or oval piece of parchment paper to fit the shape of your baking dish and place it directly on top of the vegetables. Bake for 45–60 minutes. For the last 10 minutes, switch to the grill function to lightly brown the top. Add thin slices of butter and let them melt into the hot ratatouille.
- Pair with warm slices of toasted baguette drizzled with olive oil and topped with fresh goat cheese.
- Get ready for an explosion of flavor you’d never expect from a humble veggie dish. Bon appétit!
And one last tip: Don’t forget to invite friends, colleagues, or extended family to enjoy the ratatouille with you. The more people at the table, the more applause you’ll earn!
And who’s picking up the tab? Your eStravenka, of course
Before you head out to shop for ingredients in-store or online don’t forget your trusty helper that can make this budget-friendly dish even more affordable. Yes, we’re talking about eStravenka.
With the Můj Up app, which goes hand in hand with your card, you can easily check your balance and discover a range of handy features and surprises we’ve prepared just for you.
