Tea Smoked Creole Ratatouille
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Eggplant
- 8 oz Zucchini
- 8 oz Summer Squash
- 4 Medium Plum Tomatoes
- 2 oz Okra
- 1 cup Sweet onion diced
- 1 Cup Red Bell Pepper Diced
- 2 small hot chili peppers
- 1 tsp Chopped Fresh Oregano (or 1/2 tsp dry)
- 2 Cup Crushed Tomato
- 1/4 Cup Red Wine
- 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1/4 Cup Chiffonade (Julienne) Fresh Basil
- olive oil for cooking
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1/4 Cup Tea Leaves
Instructions
- Make a Sauce: Heat some olive oil in a heavy pot. Saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Add in 1/2 the peppers, chili, And Cajun Seasoning. Stir well. Then add the Wine. Cook down until the wine becomes a coating. Then add the okra and crushed tomato. Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour. Add a little water if it gets too thick. Fold in the rest of the peppers and season the sauce.
- preheat oven to 400
- Place tea leaves in a baking dish with a rack (A roasting pan like one used for roasting a turkey will work). Put this in the oven until the tea begins to smoke.
- Slice the eggplant, Tomato, Zucchini, and Summer Squash into rounds. Spray the rack in the roasting pan with pan spray. Spread out the vegetables on the rack. Then cover the pan (use a cover if you have one or aluminum foil). Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the smoke flavor permeates the vegetables. But, keep them relatively firm.
- Toss the basil in olive oil with salt and pepper
- Spray a Deep sided round casserole dish with pan spray. Put most of the sauce in the dish (I like to save a little to serve on the side if anybody wants extra). Arrange the vegetables atop the sauce in concentric circles, alternating colors. Brush with the basil and oil. Bake in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve hot with Cheesy Grits or Rice. You can use this as a side dish or the main course.
Notes
This is one style of presentation inspired by the movie ratatouille. You could also dice the vegetables for a more rustic presentation with the whole thing simmered in a pot.
For the casserole dish, you can use a large dish to serve family or buffet style, or, individual ramekins so each person gets their own.