Most people would be horrified to find a rat in the kitchen, but Pixar have created a brilliant character called Remy who is the secret in chef Linuini’s kitchen. His Ratatouille even impresses the callous food critic Anton Ego with what will become his signature dish.
Make it your signature dish and delight the family! Serves 4
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Ratatouille- Ratatouille (2007)

INGREDIENTS:    ​

• 2 red inions
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 aubergines (eggplant)
• 3 courgettes (zucchini)
• 3 red or yellow peppers (capsicums)
• 6 ripe tomatoes
• ½ bunch fresh basil
• Olive oil
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 x 400g (15oz) can of quality plum tomatoes
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ a lemon to zest

​METHOD:

1. Prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking. That is, peel and cut the onions into wedges. Peel and finely slice the garlic. Trim the aubergine/eggplant and courgette/zucchini, deseed the peppers, then chop into 2.5 cm (1”) chunks. Roughly chop the tomatoes. Pick the basil leaves and set aside, then finely slice the stalks.
2. Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a large casserole pan or saucepan over a medium heat, add the chopped aubergines, courgettes and peppers (in batches if necessary) and cook for 5 minutes or until golden and softened, but not cooked through. Spoon the cooked vegetables into a large bowl,
3. Add the onion, garlic, basil stalks and thyme leaves to the pan with another drizzle of oil, if needed. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until softened and golden.
4. Return the cooked vegetables to the pan and stir in the fresh and tinned tomatoes, the balsamic and a good pinch of salt and black pepper.
5. Mix well, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon. Cover the pan and simmer over a low heat for 30-35 minutes, or until reduced, sticky and sweet.
6. Tear the basil leaves and add to the pan, finely grate in the lemon zest and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
7. Serve with crusty bread or steamed rice.