Righteous Ratatouille - More Than Just a Side Dish

There are probably as many versions of ratatouille as there are cooks. The basic recipe includes garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes. These ingredients are not only healthy but they're also inexpensive and widely available. You can turn ratatouille into an extraordinary main dish with a few simple additions and a little bit of creativity.

Making ratatouille is simple. I start off cooking cubes of eggplant in EV olive oil. After they are browned I remove them to a plate and I do the same process with chunks of zucchini. Then I sauté sliced mushrooms until golden brown. After I remove them, I sauté diced garlic and minced onion until softened. I add red bell pepper and when that is done I add back the other vegetables. I season with dried Italian seasonings such as oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram. Salt and pepper to taste and add diced chopped tomatoes. Let it cook for a few minutes and then add a big splash of red wine. Let it simmer for a few minutes and when it's done it will be slightly saucy but not too wet, and the vegetables will be cooked through but not mushy. Now comes the fun part!

Add protein. You can add all sorts of delicious protein to your ratatouille. Shrimp, scallops, chunks of salmon or halibut, shredded chicken breasts or juicy thighs, cubes of cooked pork tenderloin, slices of flank steak or even meatballs. Use whatever you have on hand in the fridge or freezer or your leftovers. Top with some Parmigiano or any of your favorite cheeses for extra flavor.

Add pasta or rice. Add some cooked pasta or rice to make it stretch farther and for a good hearty meal. Top it with lowfat mozzarella and bake it at 350 until the cheese is melted and golden brown. You could also make lasagna with ratatouille and use it as the filling between the layers of cheese and pasta. Try topping it with some shredded sharp provolone for a real flavor boost.

Roll it up. Roll ratatouille into crepes, flatbreads or whole wheat tortillas. You can find crepes at the grocery store or make your own. Top with shredded mozzarella or Parmigiano, chopped ripe tomatoes, and capers or chopped Kalamata olives. Warm until the cheese is melted.

Make a ratatouille pizza. Top your favorite pizza dough with ratatouille, chunks of fresh mozzarella and grated Parmigiano. Mangia!

It's simple and fun to take a typical side dish and transform it into something extra-special. Whether you try these ideas for a family dinner, to entertain, or just break out of a dinner rut, hopefully they'll inspire you to whip up a double batch of ratatouille and get cooking.