Ratatouille Casserole

http://www.brunoskitchen.net/blog/post/ratatouille-casserole

Yield: 8-10 Servings. Ratatouille can be refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen in an air-tight container up to 3 months (mixture only).

Ingredients

Piperade Sauce

• 1 ea. (200g) onion, chopped

• 2 ea. (200g) carrots, washed, unpeeled and chopped

• 2 ea. (100g) celery ribs, washed and chopped

• 1 Tbsp (30g) butter

• 1 Tbsp (30ml) olive oil

• 1 Tbsp garlic, minced

• 1 yellow and 1 red bell pepper, charred, peeled, seeds and ribs removed

• 1 poblano pepper and 2 chili peppers, charred, peeled, seeds and ribs removed

• 1 (28 ounces / 850g) chopped Roma tomato or can crushed tomato (preferably organic fired roasted)

• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)

• 1 tsp herbes de Provence (These mixtures typically contain savory, fennel, basil, thyme, and, for the American market lavender, and other herbs)

• Salt, pepper to taste

• 6 fresh basil leaves

Sliced Veggies / Tian

• 2 yellow squash, sliced into 1/16-in. (2-3mm) rounds

• 2 zucchinis, sliced into 1/16-in. rounds

• 2 Japanese or Chinese eggplants, sliced into 1/16-in. rounds

• 6 Roma tomatoes, sliced into 1/16-in. rounds

Seasoning

• 2 Tbsp (30ml) olive oil

• 1 tsp minced garlic or 8 crushed garlic cloves

• 1 tsp thyme leaves, chopped

• Salt, pepper to taste.

Method

Roast bell peppers and jalapeño over the flame or in a preheated 425ºF (220ºC) oven for 40 minutes. Place the roasted peppers in a freezer bag or pastry bowl covered with plastic wrap and steam for 15 minutes then peel . Remove stem, membranes and seeds. Chop peppers and set aside.

Meanwhile chop onion, celery, carrots and mince garlic.

Heat up a large skillet, add butter and olive oil and sautée onion, celery and carrots for 10 minutes on medium high heat. Add garlic and the chopped peppers, tomatoes, thyme bouquet, herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Cook the mixture for 20 minutes or until all soft. Discard thyme bouquet.

Gently puree the ratatouille mixture in a food processor with the basil and pour back into the skillet.

Cut zucchinis, yellow squashes, eggplants and tomatoes into 1/16-in. (1.5mm) rounds. Arrange a strip of alternating slices of tomato, yellow squash, zucchini and eggplant. Season with salt and pepper and the olive oil garlic and thyme seasoning. Cover the ratatouille with foil.

Position rack in the middle of oven. Preheat oven to 300°F (150ºC)

Cover skillet with foil and cook ratatouille slowly for 2-3 hours. Remove foil and cook for 45 minutes more at 375ºF (190ºC).

Sprinkle some minced fresh basil right before serving if desired. Bon appétit!