Make Ahead

Lili’s ratatouille

August 24, 2010
4.5
4 Ratings
  • Makes 10 cups
Author Notes

This recipe is courtesy of my great grandfather’s Parisian “cuisiniere” [chef, if you will]. Her name was Lili and my mother has the fondest memories of her cooking. This is a perfect recipe for summertime when tomatoes, zucchinis & eggplants are at their finest. Make a big pot and freeze it or have it in the morning with scrambled eggs, it’s absolutely heavenly. —Culinista Annouchka

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Ingredients
  • 1 kilo zucchinis (3 very large or 6 medium)
  • 750 gr. red bell peppers (green, yellow or orange are great as well)
  • 750 gr. eggplants
  • 4 large white onions
  • 2 garlic gloves, minced
  • 1 kilo tomatoes (about 6 medium tomatoes)
  • 1-2 tablespoons butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons very good olive oil
  • 1 small bunch of basil, roughly chopped
  • Fresh ground salt & pepper (we used smoked salt, which was delicious)
Directions
  1. Cut all the vegetables into chunks – not too small though – and set aside.
  2. Place the butter & olive oil in a very large dutch oven pan on medium heat and add the onions, stirring often. When they are fragrant 2 to 3 minutes add the minced garlic. Keep stirring until the onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add the zucchinis, eggplant & the bell peppers and cook until browned, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring often. Then add the tomatoes & basil, generously salt & pepper and cook for 1 1/2 hour on very low heat. You may want to cover your pan half way through.
  4. Once the ratatouille is finished, the consistency will thicken. Enjoy warm or at room temperature, as a main or side dish.
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7 Reviews

sandra January 13, 2024
I improvised this a bit but is essentially the same. My partner loves it and says that it is like something his mum use to make when he was a kid. Tastes fantastic!
Hannah July 27, 2021
I’d like to make this recipe, but I just want to make sure the gr. stands for grains?
sandra January 13, 2024
gr. stands for grams (as in weight grams, kilos, etc.)
Regine December 15, 2013
You should submit this recipe for the best family recipe contest based on the history behind it.
josephine L. August 24, 2010
following pauljoseph!!! very good idea
Culinista A. August 24, 2010
and strangely I hadn't seen his recipe until after I posted this!
drbabs August 24, 2010
I love ratatouille, and love this story with the handwritten recipe.