Ratatou-ish - Belinda Estell in Southampton

Belinda says: "As hubby and I don't like augergines this is my alternative dish to use my courgettes from the veggie patch, it makes a great pasta sauce or as a tasty accompaniment to sausages and mashed potato. I usually make large batches to freeze, in portions for two, which can then be microwaved straight from the freezer."

Ingredients
Serves 4

• Olive oil
• 2 medium sized onions roughly chopped
• 8 button mushrooms quartered
• 3 courgettes sliced
• 1 or 2 chilli peppers deseeded and finely chopped
• 6 tomatoes skinned and chopped (or 1 x 400g tin)
• Quarter teaspoon of sugar
• Good pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
• Pinch of saffron (optional)

Method

1. Lightly fry the onions, mushrooms, courgettes and chilli peppers in the olive oil, adding the salt and pepper.
2. Add the tomatoes and sugar, gently bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the paprika, oregano and saffron and continue to gently simmer for 15 minutes leaving the pan uncovered.

• Quick Links:

  • View all recipes