Ratatouille
 Ratatouille is a make-ahead-friendly dish that only gets better with time—serve it warm, cold, or any way in between. Ingredients 1 large (1¼ lbs) eggplant, cut into ⅓-inch cubes Salt 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb), cut into ⅓-inch cubes 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch dice 5 large cloves garlic, chopped 5 large vine-ripened tomatoes (1¾ lbs), cut into ⅓-inch cubes, with their juices 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving ¾ teaspoon sugar ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1 large (1¼ lbs) eggplant, cut into ⅓-inch cubes Salt 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb), cut into ⅓-inch cubes 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch dice 5 large cloves garlic, chopped 5 large vine-ripened tomatoes (1¾ lbs), cut into ⅓-inch cubes, with their juices 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving ¾ teaspoon sugar ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Instructions Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and season with ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and starting to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan (no need to clean it). Add the zucchini and cook, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and transfer to a plate; set aside. Add two more tablespoons of oil to the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking for about 3 minutes more. Do not brown. Add the tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste, thyme, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are broken down into a sauce, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the cooked eggplant to the pan; bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the eggplant is soft. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until just warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Sprinkle with fresh basil and thyme, drizzle with a little olive oil if desired, and serve warm or chilled. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Let the dish cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (Keep in mind that the zucchini won't stay crisp after being frozen.) This is delicious served cold, or reheated in the microwave. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and season with ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and starting to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan (no need to clean it). Add the zucchini and cook, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and transfer to a plate; set aside. Add two more tablespoons of oil to the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking for about 3 minutes more. Do not brown. Add the tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste, thyme, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are broken down into a sauce, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the cooked eggplant to the pan; bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the eggplant is soft. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until just warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Sprinkle with fresh basil and thyme, drizzle with a little olive oil if desired, and serve warm or chilled. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Let the dish cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (Keep in mind that the zucchini won't stay crisp after being frozen.) This is delicious served cold, or reheated in the microwave. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (8 servings) Calories: 153 Fat: 11 g Saturated fat: 2 g Carbohydrates: 14 g Sugar: 8 g Fiber: 5 g Protein: 3 g Sodium: 392 mg Cholesterol: 0 mg Per serving (8 servings) Calories: 153 Fat: 11 g Saturated fat: 2 g Carbohydrates: 14 g Sugar: 8 g Fiber: 5 g Protein: 3 g Sodium: 392 mg Cholesterol: 0 mg