Traditional Ratatouille

Traditional ratatouille

Ratatouille combines a large volume of late-summer vegetables that have different cook times. If you tried to throw them all into a pot at once, none of the veggies would have a chance to caramelize, the eggplant would fall apart by the time the zucchini is tender, and your ratatouille would probably never meet its full potential.
This recipe is a little different. We’re going to roast the vegetables until they’re deliciously caramelized on the edges and a little dehydrated (no squeaky or mushy zucchini here). Then, we’ll add those perfectly roasted veggies to a simmering fresh tomato sauce.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Ripe Red Tomatoes 6 medium or 4 large
  • 1 Medium Eggplant 1 pound, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 Orange large red, or yellow bell pepper, about 8 ounces, cut into 3/4-inch squares
  • 1 Medium-To-Large Zucchini about 8 ounces, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 Large Yellow Squash about 8 ounces, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 5 tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil divided, +1 teaspoon
  • ¾ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt divided, more to taste
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic pressed or minced
  • ¼ cup Fresh Basil chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes more or less to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • to taste Black Pepper freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with one rack in the middle of the oven and one in the upper third of the oven. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if desired.
  • To prepare your tomatoes, remove any woody cores with a paring knife. Then, grate them on the large holes of a box grater into a bowl (this is easiest if you hold the tomato at a diagonal), and chop any remaining tomato skin. Or, blitz the tomatoes in a food processor until they are broken into a frothy pulp. Set aside.
  • On one baking sheet, toss the diced eggplant with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil until lightly coated. Arrange the eggplant in a single layer across the pan, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of the salt, and set aside.
  • On the other baking sheet, toss the bell pepper, zucchini and yellow squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer. Place the eggplant pan on the middle rack and the other vegetables on the top rack. Set the timer for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and caramelizing on the edges, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, stir, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, and use a wooden spoon or sturdy silicone spatula to stir any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan into the mixture. Reduce the heat to medium-low, or as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • Once 15 minutes are up, remove both pans from the oven, stir, and redistribute the contents of each evenly across the pans. This time, place the eggplant on the top rack and other vegetables on the middle rack.
  • Bake until the eggplant is nice and golden on the edges, about 10 more minutes (the eggplant will be done sooner than the rest). Remove the eggplant from the oven, and carefully stir the eggplant into the simmering tomato sauce.
  • Let the squash and bell pepper pan continue to bake until the peppers are caramelized, about 5 to 10 more minutes. Then, transfer the contents of the pan into the simmering sauce. Continue simmering for 5 more minutes to give the flavors time to meld.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon olive oil, the fresh basil and red pepper flakes. Crumble the dried oregano between your fingers as you drop it into the pot. Season to taste with additional salt (I usually add ¼ teaspoon more) and black pepper.
  • Serve in bowls, perhaps with a little drizzle of olive oil, additional chopped basil, or black pepper on top (all optional). Like all stews, this ratatouille’s flavor improves as it cools. It’s even better reheated the next day. Ratatouille keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 days, or for several months in the freezer.

Socca “Pizza” with Fresh Chickpea Pesto

Socca “Pizza” with Fresh Chickpea Pesto

Versatile chickpea flour (which happens to be gluten free) may not be as beloved as standard all-purpose—but we think that may be about to change. It's used to make socca, a Mediterranean chickpea pancake, which we top with a fresh chickpea pesto and goat cheese to turn it into a socca pizza. While it isn't a pizza in the technical sense, it still satisfies cravings for something doughy and cheesy.

Ingredients
  

  • For the Socca:
  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove finely grated
  • Pinch cumin
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For the Chickpea Pesto:
  • 8 ounces 4 cups whole fresh green chickpeas, shucked (1 cup)
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh chervil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pistachios
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 garlic clove roughly chopped
  • For Assembly:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled (¼ cup)
  • 1 serrano chile thinly sliced
  • Chopped pistachios for garnish
  • Mâche rosettes for garnish
  • Chervil leaves for garnish
  • Flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Make the socca: In a large bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until a smooth batter forms. Cover in plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, make the chickpea pesto: Bring a small pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath. Season the water with salt. Add the fresh chickpeas and cook until tender, 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chickpeas to the ice bath. Once cool, drain the chickpeas and remove their thin shells around the green centers. Transfer the chickpeas to a small food processor with the remaining pesto ingredients. Pulse until a smooth paste comes together, then season with salt.
  • Assemble the socca pizza: Preheat the broiler with the rack 6 inches away from the heat source. In a 10-inch ovenproof, nonstick pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Pour the batter into the pan, swirling to cover the entire surface, then transfer the pan to the oven. Bake until the socca sets, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the oven. Spread the chickpea pesto over the socca and dot with the goat cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is slightly golden, 4 minutes more. Transfer the socca to a board and top with the sliced serrano, chopped pistachios, mâche and chervil. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with flaky sea salt, then serve.