Recipe for Rustic Summer Ratatouille

What better way to celebrate summer than with a delicious blend of seasonal vegetables? This traditional dish from southern France highlights eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes with fragrant herbs like oregano or thyme. Cook a large batch and serve it warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Naturally low in carbohydrates and calories, and a source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, it’s a simple dish that can fit into any meal plan.

Serving Suggestions

• For a simple lunch, serve ratatouille with whole-grain bread or pita and low-fat cheese.
• Try ratatouille in a bowl with brown rice or quinoa and grilled fish, tofu, or chicken.
• Ratatouille makes a delicious pasta sauce. Try it over whole-grain pasta and add parmesan cheese if desired.
• Try a ratatouille casserole by baking the ratatouille in a baking pan or casserole dish and topping it with feta cheese. Bake until it’s warm and bubbly. 
• For a savory breakfast, serve the ratatouille with eggs.

Recipe for Rustic Heart-Healthy Ratatouille

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow or crookneck squash, chopped
• 1 eggplant, cut into small cubes
• 1-2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 4 roma tomatoes (or 2 large tomatoes), peeled and chopped, or 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ red onion, peeled and chopped finely
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced 
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano or 2 teaspoons of fresh oregano
• ½ teaspoon of dried thyme or 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion and garlic, and cook for two minutes or until fragrant.  
2. Add the eggplant and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the zucchini, squash, and bell pepper. Mix and cook for another 6-7 minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper. Simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the tomatoes are cooked and incorporated.
5. Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition information per serving: 110 calories; 4 grams fat; 0.5 grams saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 100 mg of sodium; 16 grams of carbohydrates; 10 grams of sugar; 6 grams of fiber; 3 grams of protein

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