Ratatouille!

You may or may not like the movie of the same name... I'm betting if you have kids, you've seen it and love it!  But have you ever tried it?  Here is an easy and delicious recipe to use some of that wonderful produce from your very own garden or local farmer's market!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, peeled & sliced

1 small bay leaf

1 small eggplant, cut in ½ inch pieces

1 small zucchini, halved length wise and cut into thin slices

1 red bell pepper, cut into slivers

4 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup shredded fresh basil leaves

freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Over medium-low heat, add the oil to a large skillet with the onion, garlic and bay leaf, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened.

Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally for eight minutes or until the eggplant has softened. Stir in zucchini, red bell pepper, tomatoes and salt, and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in basil and fresh ground pepper to taste.