Ratatouille with Chicken

As a self-proclaimed food connoisseur (Ok, not really, I just love good food), I am always looking out for new recipes, new chefs, and new cookbooks. For Christmas, my lovely mumsy-in-law got me a new cookbook in light of my upcoming move- Food Lover’s Mediterranean. Unlike most cookbooks, this one has a photo to accompany each recipe AND all of the recipes are healthy. How can you beat that?

Tonight, I tested one of these scrumptious concoctions. A new twist on an old favorite: Ratatouille with Chicken. I must confess, I’ve never thought ratatouille was particularly special, just because I feel like its just spruced-up roasted veggies. However, this dish puts in into a whole new light.

So without further ado:

Ratatouille with Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, about 3 1b/ 1.25 kg (or chicken pieces
• 1 eggplant (aubergines)
• 2 zucchini (courgettes)
•  2 red onions
• 4 tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt &pepper
• Olive oil
• 1 tsp tomato paste (puree)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup/ 250 ml chicken broth (stock)
• Fresh basil leaves to garnish

Method:

1.  Heat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C.
2. Divide the chicken into eight pieces.
3. Trim the eggplant (aubergine) nd the zucchini (courgettes). Cut the eggplant in healf lengthwise and slice thickly. Cut zucchini diagonally into thick slices.
4. Peel the onions and cut into wedges. Remove the stems from the tomatoes. Halve and deseed the peppers and chop. Peel the garlic and cut in half.
5. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and fry in hot oil in a flameproof casserole until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
6. Fry the onion, eggplant, and zucchini. Sauté the bell peppers and the garlic, then add the tomato paste (puree) and pour in the broth (stock). Add the tomatoes (yes, whole) and paprika and salt and pepper to taste.
7. Put chicken pieces on top, skin side up and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Pour a little broth over the chicken from time to time.
8. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, sprinkle some basil leaves over the top and serve

Devour and enjoy!

This was a delicious and warming dish and the family loved it! As a side note, I would have added a few more herbs (i.e. thyme, oregano, parsley). I’m gonna play around with it next time.