The past week was freaking gross hot, like sweaty, smelly, I want to live in the Costco walk in freezer hot. But today, well today was the most lovely day. A cool dry 70 with a nice breeze and sunshine. Then around dinnertime, a little bit of rain, followed by a rainbow. It was the most fantastic perfect weather.This is why I love living in Vermont. We get weather.
.Last night, dinner was all about trying to make some more room in the fridge for the farm share pick up tonight and to make something that I didn't have to really watch. (the mr and I were moving the beehive to the roof of the house so I wanted to make something that I could leave on the stove and not have to babysit (just stir every now and then). With the weather being so freaking amazing, with a cool crispness in the air, I was craving something a little more on the warm and comfy side. And what do you know, the stuff I had left in the fridge (there is still a basket of zucchini on the table) was what was needed for a big pot of stewed summer ratatouille with lentils. It was everthing that I ever could need and want for a meal. Full of the best veggies and lentils, easy to make, nothing fancy to do. Just stick stuff into a pot and cook until done.
Cooler, light long sleeve, kind of weather. Enough rain where I didn't have to water the garden, the most perfect pot of the best ratatouille shared with the mr. and a feeling of accomplishment and excitement (bees on the roof!).
The perfect night.
The stuff. Zucchini, yellow summer squash, eggplant, onion, tomatoes and lentils. And we have some fresh basil, fresh oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and some salt and pepper.
To get this party started, chop up the onion and toss it into a big heavy pot with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Stick on the stove on medium heat.
While the onions are cooking, mince up the garlic and chop up all the other veggie into medium sized chunks.
When the onions start to become translucent and smell fantastic, add in all the veggies and garlic. Give it a big stir and place back on the stove to cook for a few minutes to let the veggies release some of their liquid.
Then add in the lentils along with a equal amount of water and top with a lid.
And cook.
After about 30 minutes, the lentils should be near done and the veggies tender, the tomatoes pretty much dissolved. Now chop up the basil and oregano and toss it in along with a few swigs of the balsamic vinegar. Give it a stir and keep on cooking for another 10ish more minutes or until the lentils are nice and tender.
Glorious
Scoop onto bowl then into mouth. If you like, finish off with a bit more fresh basil or,ike the mr, top with parmesan cheese.
Have a fantastic day! So close to the weekend!!
-C
Lentil Ratatouille
Makes 2-3 big servings (if serving with pastas or rice, its more like 4-5 servings)
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium yellow summer squash
- 1 medium onion
- 1 small eggplant
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 medium to large tomatoes
- handful fresh basil leaves
- a few glugs of balsamic vinegar
- couple sprigs of fresh oregano
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Drizzle a little olive oil into a large pot. Dice up the onion and place on medium heat and cook for a few minutes. Mince up the garlic and chop up the remaining veggies into medium sized pieces. Once the onion is cooke a bit and strting to smell oh so nice, toss the veggies and garlic into the pot. Mix, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place a lid on it. Cook for a few minutes to draw out a bit of liquid from the veggies. Now add in the lentils and the water. Stick the lid back on and let cook for about 30 minutes on medium low heat or until the lentils are starting to soften.
When the lentils are mostly soft, but still have a bit of biet, dice the fresh herbs and toss into pot with a few swings of balsamic vinegar. Stir and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the lentils are full cooked.
Remove from heat and ladle into bowls..
Serve with rice, pasta, bread, a big old pile of fresh greens, or just as it is.
Eats fantastic right aways, or cold late at night standing in front of the fridge..