Ratatouille!

You heard us correctly-this week's Fruity Friday is the beloved ratatouille, most likely recalled from the eponymous Pixar film classic. Surprisingly, it is not that difficult to make in real life, and alongside this is incredibly healthy, packing four of your five a day in just one colourful dish and a great way to pack all your veg into one meal if you're worried about it expiring. Whilst we don't expect you to display it as beautifully as Remy did in the film (although we do invite you to give it a go if you have the time!), we can agree that however it looks it will taste amazing! Since this recipe serves 4, try it out on your friends and family and see if they are as blown away as Anton Ego was!

Ingredients:

• 2 large aubergines

• 4 small courgettes

• 2 yellow peppers

• 4 large ripe tomatoes

• 5 tbsp olive oil

• A small bunch of basil

• 1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp sugar (any kind)

Recipe:

1. Cut the 2 large aubergines in half lengthways. Place them on the board, cut side down, slice in half lengthways again and then across into 1.5cm chunks.

2. Cut the ends off 4 small courgettes, and cut them the same away as you did to the aubergines.

3. Peel 2 yellow peppers from stalk to bottom. Hold upright, cut around the stalk, then cut into 3 equally sized pieces. Cut away any membrane, then chop into bite-size chunks.

4. Score a small cross on the base of each of 4 large ripe tomatoes, then put them into a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over, leave for 20 secs, then remove. Pour the water away, replace the tomatoes and cover with cold water. Leave to cool, then easily peel the skin away.

5. Quarter the tomatoes, scrape away the seeds with a spoon, then roughly chop the flesh.

6. Set a sauté pan over medium heat and when hot, pour in 2 tbsp olive oil. Brown the aubergines for 5 mins on each side until the pieces are soft. Set them aside.

7. Fry the courgettes in another tbsp oil for 5 mins, until golden on both sides. Repeat with the peppers. Don’t overcook the vegetables at this stage.

8. Tear up the leaves from the bunch of basil and set aside. Cook 1 thinly sliced medium onion in the pan for 5 minutes. Add 3 crushed garlic cloves and fry for a further minute. Stir in 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 tsp of sugar, then tip in the tomatoes and half the basil.

9. Return the vegetables to the pan with some salt and pepper and cook for 5 mins. Serve with basil. Bon appetit!