It has been snowing for the last 24 hours and it’s really accumulating out there (already about 8 inches). I needed something hearty and warm for when the shovelers came inside. My answer was a large pot of colorful, aromatic French vegetable stew over hearty quinoa. I make my Ratatouille in one pot on the stove and it is naturally gluten-free and vegan. For bread eaters, this might pair really well with some crusty French bread.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

1 EGGPLANT, peeled and cut into bitesize cubes
1 tablespoon EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
1 large ONION, diced
4 cloves GARLIC, minced
1/4 cup dry RED WINE
28 ounce can diced TOMATOES, with juice
1/2 cup WATER
1 BAY LEAF
1 teaspoon dried BASIL
1/2 teaspoon dried THYME 
1/2 teaspoon dried OREGANO
1/2 teaspoon crushed RED PEPPER FLAKES
1/4 teaspoon ROSEMARY, ground
1 teaspoon SEA SALT, divided
1/2 teaspoon BLACK PEPPER, ground
2 medium ZUCCHINI, peeled and cut bitesize
1 YELLOW SQUASH, peeled and cut bitesize
1 RED BELL PEPPER, cut bitesize
1 YELLOW BELL PEPPER, cut bitesize
2 cups QUINOA, rinsed (plus 4 cups water to cook)
Pinch of PARSLEY

Directions

• PREPARE EGGPLANT
  • PEEL eggplant
  • CUT off both ends and CUT the eggplant into bitesize cubes
  • PLACE the eggplant cubes into a colander and TOSS with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt to express excess water. SET ASIDE for about 20 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
  • RINSE before using
• PREPARE QUINOA
  • RINSE 2 cups of quinoa in a mesh strainer under cold water
  • ADD rinsed quinoa to 4 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • REDUCE heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until there is no more water
  • Fluff before serving
• HEAT olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat
• SAUTE onion and garlic until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes
• ADD red wine, can of tomatoes with all its juice, and the bay leaf. STIR until well blended.
• ADD the basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and eggplant. MIX well and COVER tightly for 10 minutes over medium-low heat until eggplant is tender.
• ADD zucchini, squash, bell peppers and STIR well. COVER again and simmer for another 8-10 minutes. Having a tight cover on your saucepan allows the liquid to recirculate back into the stew instead of getting lost through evaporation.
• REDUCE HEAT and cook until vegetables are fork-tender. SEASON with additional salt to taste and STIR occasionally
  • The flavor will improve over time so you can REMOVE it from heat and let it sit for up to 3 hours on the counter
• SERVE over quinoa with a pinch of parsley
• STORE in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months

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