Why Make This Recipe
Ratatouille Soup is a fantastic dish inspired by the beloved animated movie "Ratatouille." This soup brings all the wonderful flavors of ratatouille into a warm and comforting bowl. It's a great way to use fresh vegetables and is perfect for family dinners or as a light lunch. Making this soup allows you to enjoy healthy ingredients while also being easy to prepare. Plus, it's a vegan meal that everyone can enjoy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe offers a delicious way to celebrate vegetables.
How to Make Ratatouille Soup
Making Ratatouille Soup is straightforward and fun. Here's how to do it step by step.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 eggplant, chopped
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Optional: Crusty bread, for serving
Directions
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Prepare the Vegetables: Start by chopping your onion and garlic. Cut the bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant into bite-sized pieces. Having everything ready will make cooking easier.
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Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells nice. Next, add the chopped bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes. Lastly, add the zucchini and eggplant, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until they soften.
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Simmer the Soup: Now it's time to add the liquids. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Stir everything well to combine. Then sprinkle in your dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Season it all with salt and pepper. Bring your soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover it and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, but you can let it go for up to an hour, stirring occasionally.
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Adjust and Serve: After simmering, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender. Once ready, ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve with crusty bread if you like.
How to Serve Ratatouille Soup
Serve Ratatouille Soup hot in a deep bowl. Garnish it with a few fresh basil leaves for a bright touch and extra flavor. If you're serving it with bread, place some crusty bread on the side. This soup makes a great starter or main course and can be enjoyed alone or with a light salad.
How to Store Ratatouille Soup
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The soup will keep for about 3-4 days. When you want to eat it again, simply reheat it on the stove over medium heat until it's hot throughout. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Tips to Make Ratatouille Soup
- Chop your vegetables evenly: This helps them cook at the same time and ensures a great texture.
- Taste as you go: Adjust the seasonings to your preference. Everyone has a different taste!
- Use fresh herbs if you have them: Fresh basil at the end can brighten the flavor even more.
- Add more veggies: If you have other vegetables at home, feel free to throw them in. Carrots or potatoes work well.
Variation
You can switch things up in this recipe! Try adding beans for extra protein or swirl in some cream for a richer soup. If you like spices, consider adding some chili powder or fresh chili peppers for more heat.
FAQs
1. Can I make Ratatouille Soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can make it a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
2. Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are gluten-free, making this soup a great choice for those who are sensitive to gluten.
3. Can I use different vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the soup with whatever vegetables you like. Just make sure to keep an eye on cooking times as some veggies may need more time than others.
Conclusion
Ratatouille Soup is a delightful and easy recipe that brings the essence of a classic French dish into a warm bowl. It's packed with vegetables and flavor, making it a healthy choice for anyone. Whether you're enjoying it with a piece of crusty bread or on its own, this soup is perfect for any occasion. Give it a try, and savor the goodness of fresh vegetables in your kitchen!
Ratatouille Soup
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 medium eggplant, chopped
Liquids
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounce)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounce)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Garnish & Serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Optional Crusty bread, for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Chop the onion and garlic. Cut the bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant into bite-sized pieces.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Lastly, add the zucchini and eggplant, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until softened.
Simmer the Soup
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in the dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, stirring occasionally.
Adjust and Serve
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- For a smoother texture, blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve with crusty bread if desired.
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