Make Ahead
RatatouilleĀ Gateau
- Serves 6-8
Author Notes
I am a big fan of ratatouille, especially since it is best served room temperature and the flavor increases if made the day before. For this ratatouille, I roasted all the veggies in order to bring out more flavors. The crepes are adapted from a recipe in Gourmet magazine for homemade manicotti. I reverse the order of instructions for the ingredients (makes mixing easier and no need to push through a sieve) and add thyme. All of the components can be prepared ahead of time and then the gateau assembled right before heading out the door. By the time you reach your picnic destination the gateau will be room temperature and ready to enjoy. —BlueKaleRoad
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- Gateau Fillings: Ratatouille, Basil Mayo and Veggies
-
1
medium globe eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
-
3
zucchini, sliced lengthwise and chopped in 1-inch pieces
-
1
yellow pepper, roughly chopped
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1
red pepper, roughly chopped
-
5
roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
-
1
red onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
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11
cloves garlic, 10 sliced lenthwise, 1 set aside
-
3 tablespoons
olive oil, divided plus more to drizzle
-
1/2 cup
tomato puree
-
salt and pepper to taste
-
1/4 cup
fresh basil leaves
-
1/2
lemon, juiced
-
1/2 cup
mayonnaise (homemade is wonderful, but for this Vegenaise or Hellmans will do just fine)
-
1/2 pound
mushrooms, sliced
-
1/2 pound
asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Crepes
-
1 1/4 cups
flour
-
1/2 teaspoon
salt
-
1/2 teaspoon
dried thyme
-
1 1/2 cups
warm water
-
3
eggs, room temperature
-
butter for making crepes
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle a little olive oil and use a pastry brush or paper towel to coat bottom. Spread the eggplant in a single layer. Give a quick drizzle of olive oil over the eggplant and toss a bit (or use a Misto sprayer). Roast the eggplant for about 20 minutes, until it is browning on the edges and soft. Pour eggplant into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Add another light slick of olive oil to the bottom of the baking sheet and spread the peppers, zucchini and tomatoes on in a thick single layer. Drizzle a little olive oil and stir around. Roast the veggies for about 25 minutes, giving them a stir a couple of times. Add the veggies to the eggplant.
- Again, add a little olive oil to coat the baking sheet and spread the onions and 10 sliced garlic cloves to pan. Roast for about 15-20 minutes, giving a stir and making sure garlic doesn't burn. Add to the mixing bowl with eggplant and other veggies.
- Give all the ratatouille veggies a stir and mix in the tomato puree. Season with salt and pepper to taste. At this point, the ratatouille can be covered and chilled until ready to use.
- To make the basil mayo, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, basil, lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Whiz until smooth, scraping down the sides once. Add the mayo and pulse until combined. Chill until ready to use.
- In a medium saute pan, pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms, cover and steam for about 7 minutes until soft and liquid is released (turn down heat if mushrooms are sticking). Stir and add the asparagus. Stir, cover and steam for about 4-5 minutes until asparagus is soft. Remove from heat and set aside. You can chill these veggies, too, until ready to use.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, salt and thyme and stir together. Slowly pour in warm water and stir until combined. Add the eggs one at a time and stir each one in until just combined.
- Heat a 10-inch nonstick crepe pan or frying pan over medium high heat and brush with a little butter. Pour 1/2 cup measure of crepe batter in and tip pan to swirl and coat bottom. Cook for about 30 seconds until set then flip and cook the other side for about 30 seconds. Remove the crepe and make 5 more. Crepes can be stacked with parchment paper layered in between. Watch your heat while making and be prepared to turn down a little if the crepes are setting too quickly and you can't spread the batter thin enough.
- To assemble, mix the basil mayo with the asparagus and mushrooms. Place a crepe in the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Spread 1/3 of the ratatouille on the bottom and top with a crepe. Spread 1/2 of the basil veggie mix on and top with a crepe. Spread the next 1/3 of ratatouille, top with crepe and then the last 1/2 of the basil mayo and veggies. Layer with a crepe, add the last 1/3 of the ratatouille and place final crepe on top. Wrap the springform pan tightly with foil to transport to your picnic. Once there, pop off the side, slice and serve. Enjoy!
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