Roaring Fork Ratatouille

Weather forecast once again: pada kisa, lluvia, and more rain! This calls for a hearty stew!

I promised you I was going to prepare that spicy couscous a few days ago . But I have something even better!

My hubby found a recipe with polenta and spinach but I thought I would give it a twist. I read the ingredient list and I didn't have all the items but I didn't let this small detail discourage me from cooking. Did I mention it is raining?.. ..AND I am not feeling adventurous enough to run outside and jump in the puddles of water! Therefore I improvised and used what I had in the pantry.

Plus I have a great helper in the kitchen.


She is also improvising and thinking of adding kiwis into the recipe.

So this is what I prepared: couscous with spinach, roaring fork ratatouille. Sounds intriguing right? I found the recipe in The Best of Simply Colorado Cookbook I purchased several years ago.





Original recipe:

cooking spray

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, diced

1 small eggplant, peeled and cubed

2 medium green bell peppers, sliced into strips

1 C. tomato juice

3T. dry red wine

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. dried basil, 1 tsp. dried marjoram, 1/2 tsp. dried oregano,1 tsp. salt

1 medium zucchini, sliced

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1/2 C. water (if needed)

Lightly coat large pot with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic and saute until tender (about 5 minutes). Add eggplant, peppers, tomato juice, wine and seasonings; mix well. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender (about 10-15 minutes). Add zucchini and tomatoes, cover and simmer 10 more minutes or until all vegetables are tender. (Add water as needed.) Serve on a bed of rice. ( I used couscous!)

My version didn't include red wine, bell peppers, nor tomatoes instead I used mushrooms and tomato paste with extra tomato juice.
The couscous, I prepared according to the directions on the box. I also added frozen spinach (I know, you are probably thinking weird! but remember, I am improvising).

In addition I prepared grilled red bell peppers topped with olive oil and garlic.



Despite the alterations I made with the recipe the stew turned out yummy.
We enjoyed our delicious, healthy and warm meal as we watched the rain fall outside our balcony window.




And what a beautiful view of the roaring waves crashing against the rocks!