White Bean Ratatouille

While Ratatouille will always be a witty, Disney movie in my house, this dish has a character that is all its own. Ratatouille is a dish of cooked vegetables that originated in southern France, and this version contains loads of white beans which add protein and heartiness. Serve it hot or cold.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 large-size globe eggplant, cut in ½ inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon water, for sautéing
• 2 medium-size red onions, sliced
• 3 medium-size zucchini, cut in ½ inch cubes
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into ½ inch squares
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 4 tomatoes, seeded and roughly chopped (or 2 cans – 15 oz each – fire roasted diced tomatoes)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 (15oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• Salt and fresh group pepper, to taste
• ½ cup finely chopped fresh basil

1.  Steam eggplant cubes for 10 minutes. Heat the water in a large-size sauté pan, add onions and cook, for 5 minutes.
2. Add zucchini and bell peppers and cook, stirring often, for another 5 minutes. Add steamed eggplant and cook another 5 minutes, then add garlic.
3. Add wine and stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-high and stir in tomatoes, parsley, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add beans to skillet, stirring well to combine. Cook, uncovered, until vegetables are tender but not mushy and liquids have thickened, stirring occasionally for another 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

5.       Remove skillet from heat, remove the bay leaves, and stir in chopped basil. 

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