TRADITIONAL RATATOUILLE

 

I enjoy cooking during fall. As the cooler weather begins to settle in, I make nice, cozy meals. Having food simmering on the stovetop or baking in the oven gives pleasant aromas floating in the air. It makes the atmosphere so warm and homey 🏡.
 
Like every season, I use fresh produce to create many recipes. I encourage David to eat meatless dishes more often. They can be Pasta alla Norma, Saag Aloo, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Samosas, Egyptian Farro Salad, Eggplant Rollatini, Falafel 🧆 with tahini sauce alongside couscous, and so on.
 
One French recipe that I love making during this time of year when summer transitions to autumn is my Traditional Ratatouille! This light dish is purely fabulous! Its fresh and natural taste makes it a great meal or side dish. This is a colorful 🌈 and healthy bowl loaded with deliciousness!
 
This dish is pronounced ‘ra-ta-touy’ in French…
Many of you will probably pronounce ‘ra-ta-too-yee’, but most of the last letters in words in French are not pronounced. Like ‘bon appétit’, people will pronounce the last ‘t’, while it’s completely silent. Some words, though, have the last letter pronounced but softly, as in ‘bonjour’. I know, French can be difficult 🙄…
 
What in the world am I doing? This is not a French 101 class!!
 
Back to my Traditional Ratatouille…
This is a lovely, versatile recipe. It can be served many different ways: hot, warm, or at room temperature. It pairs very well with grilled or roasted meats, fish 🐟, and so on. For a hearty main course, it’s served over pasta, rice, or polenta. I like it simply with plain crusty or garlic bread.
 
When there are leftovers, I like using them when I make a white omelet. I spoon on half of the omelet, and fold it over. In the morning, I place a fried egg 🍳 on top of the vegetable stew. It can also be served as a dish for a charcuterie board.
 
I mentioned in the video intro that this is a family recipe. Yes, overall. I add another ingredient that my aunts never used: eggplant. I don’t know why both sides of my family rarely used aubergine 🍆. It’s such a nice, healthy ingredient and a great meat substitute!
 
What takes the most time is sautéing both eggplant and zucchini 🥒. I use a ton of olive oil when I cook the eggplant cubes – they’re like little sponges. Altogether, I use ½ cup of it. I don’t mind it as olive oil is very good for us: heart-healthy, brain-protective, reduces inflammation, and more.
 
When these two are done, the rest is easy peasy. In the mixture, I use Roma tomatoes that are washed, seeded, and diced. On the other hand, they can be substituted with a can (14 oz.) of diced tomatoes 🥫, drained.
 
For the seasonings, there are Herbes de Provence, and red pepper flakes. Raw sugar also goes in, which helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes 🍅. As I always say, “taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary”. After all, this is your vegetable stew!
 
This Traditional Ratatouille is a dish that makes you feel good! Its bright colors combined with a medley of fresh vegetables is a fantastic recipe to welcome fall 🍂! This healthy vegetable stew can be enjoyed as either a side dish or main course…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more delicious meatless recipes for you to try… 😀
– Greek Baked Beans • Gigantes Plaki
– Moroccan Green Spaghetti
– Pasta alla Caponata
– Georgian Cheese Bread • Khachapuri
– Zucchini Pancakes
– Roasted Winter Vegetable Pasta Salad
– Best Eggplant & Mushroom Veggie Burgers
– Butternut Squash Soup
– Torta Pasqualina • Easter Pie
– Avocado Sweet Pea Toast
and for even more side dish recipes 🍟🥔🌽, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/traditional-ratatouille/ 😉

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Shepherd's Pie Recipe aka Pâté Chinois | Club Foody

 

We all have our favorite comfort food dishes. Some might like burgers 🍔 while others prefer chili, pizza 🍕, mac & cheese, and so on.
 
David gravitates between meatloaf, Frankie’s macaroni, orzo with chicken & asiago, and Southwest beef casserole. I’m sure that if I ask him, the list would get longer… lol 😂!
 
Mine is the first dish that I made when I moved out from my parents’ place, and it’s Shepherd’s Pie! To me, this is my ultimate comfort food. It’s easy to make 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 and so tasty! With a nice layer of seasoned meat, cream-style corn, and topped off with mashed potatoes, this is one of my all-time favorites!
 
Without knowing exactly how this dish was created, there are a few possible speculations. In Québec, we call it “Pâté Chinois”, which translates to Chinese Pie. It’s obviously not a Chinese dish, but it could have been introduced by the Chinese cooks for the Canadian railway workers 🚝 in the late 1800s. ]
 
It could also be an adaptation of Hachis Parmentier or even Cottage Pie. Perhaps it’s a variation of the famous British dish. Regardless of where this Shepherd’s Pie recipe originally came from, it’s a delicious casserole 😋!
 
For this dish, I use my Mixed Mashed Potatoes recipe. It’s a combination of russet 🥔 and sweet potatoes 🍠. Using regular mashed is fine, but I’m telling you, this one is fabulous and gives such a nice taste to the pie, plus it’s so colorful! Click here to get the recipe… Mixed Mashed Potatoes
 
Shepherd’s Pie is at the top of my list for comfort foods, and it should be on yours as well. I like to serve it with some ketchup on top, Bread & Butter Pickles 🥒 on the side, and a few slices of buttered bread… now, that’s a satisfying meal!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious “beef” comfort food recipes…😀
– Texas Cowboy Stew
– Bobotie
– Lasagna Soup
– Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
– Buffalo Chicken Salad
– Pumpkin Chili
– Southwest Chicken & Green Bean Casserole
– Coffee Beef Stew
– Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole
and for even more beef recipes 🐂, click on this link… Recipe Category • Beef

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/shepherds-pie/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube

 

Swedish Meatballs Recipe • Improved Ikea Copycat! | Club Foody

 

In the 80s, there was a big box store that came to America 🌎, and it was Ikea. Wow, it became so popular in such a hurry! Their furniture was very affordable and more compact, serving a vast majority of the population. Another popular item that became a “must-have” before leaving the store was their meatballs!
 
Their marketing strategy was brilliant…✨
First, it was, and still is, almost impossible to leave the building 🏦 unless you’re very familiar with the layout. The only way out is to follow the arrows. Through this maze, inevitably, you have to walk by the restaurant… tada! That’s how these mouthwatering Swedish Meatballs became famous!
 
Köttbullar is the proper Swedish word for this particular dish. The pronunciation is far different from the way North Americans would say it. The “k” is more like a “sh” and the “ö” sounds like a “soft a”. Now, for the rest of the word “bullar”, it is pronounced like it is, without emphasizing much of the “r”. So if I were write it 📝 the way I would pronounce it, it would be like this; shotbula’r’. Oh boy, I know! I’m trying very hard to pronounce every international dish properly… it’s not always obvious!
 
One thing, though, that is obvious is how delicious these Swedish Meatballs are! They are totally OMG 🤯! They’re so good that after the first time I had them, I tried very hard to reproduce the dish. It took me a few tries, but along my “duplication” process, I actually made it tastier. The flavor of the gravy is much deeper, as well as the meatballs. I have a beautiful variety of ingredients, making them a family favorite.
 
To me, this is a perfect comfort food to enjoy at home 🏡. I don’t serve my Swedish Meatballs with the traditional lingonberry jam. Instead, I prefer serving them with some steamed veggies and my Mixed Mashed Potatoes. With this recipe, you don’t need to walk through the maze to satisfy your craving…
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
P.S. Here’s another fun thing to know…
According to NBC Philadelphia News, we don’t pronounce Ikea the way it should be. Our pronunciation is more like “eye-kee-ah” instead of “ee-kay-uh”.
 
Here are other delicious comfort food recipes for you to try…😀
– Italian Poutine
– Texas Cowboy Stew
– Bobotie
– Frankie’s Macaroni Casserole
– Bunny Chow
– Turkey Chili Tex-Mex Style
– Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole
– Hamburger Helper Copycat
– Shepherd’s Pie
and for even more International recipes 🌍, click on this link… Recipe Category • International 

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/swedish-meatballs/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Mediterranean Fish Fillet with Tapenade Recipe | Club Foody

 

As you probably know, Mediterranean cuisine is very healthy 💚 and mainly made with plant products. You’ll find these common ingredients in this cuisine: olive oil, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, herbs & spices.
 
The reason I love this cuisine so much is that I enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients and prefer using herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of my dishes rather using salt 🧂. I’ve never been a fan of salt since childhood, and when I do use it, I stay away from table salt and opt for the much healthier version, which is Himalayan Pink Salt.
 
This Mediterranean Fish Fillet with Tapenade recipe started because I had some chopped black olives sitting in the fridge, and I didn’t want to waste them. From the very first attempt, this recipe was a success 🏆! Each bite is packed with flavor, and it tastes so amazing…
 
In the video 🎥, I use red snapper because this is what I had in my freezer. If you want another white, lean, and flaky fish like snapper, you can use sea bass, tilapia, flounder, cod, or rainbow trout. If you prefer a white, lean, and firmer fish, go with halibut, catfish, swordfish, or sole. It’s a matter of preference and also what is available at your local fish market.
 
An added bonus is that it’s quick to prepare as well. This Mediterranean Fish Fillet with Tapenade takes only 20 minutes ⏳ from start to finish. This is the ideal recipe for a quick weeknight dinner, or when you don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen.
 
This Mediterranean Fish Fillet 🐟 with Tapenade is so delicious! It’s light and fresh with a little zip to it. It’s a simple and healthy recipe that everyone will enjoy! Here’s another delightful recipe to try… Olive Tapenade.
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Here are more delicious fish recipes for you to try…😀
– BBQ Salmon Steaks
– Creamy Creole Red Snapper
– Grilled Tuna Steaks
– Pacific Coast Salmon on the BBQ
– Grilled Fish Tacos
– Panko Breaded Fish Fillet
– Grilled Marlin Steaks
– Beer Battered Fish
– Red Snapper en Papillote
and for even more fish and seafood recipes 🐡🦞, click on this link… Recipe Category • Fish & Seafood

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/mediterranean-fish-fillet-with-tapenade/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe | Club Foody

 

Every fall 🍂, my mother made almost the same recipes. From my parents’ garden, she canned cucumbers by making Bread & Butter Pickles, Sweet & Savory Homemade Ketchup, Dill Pickles, and used the tomatoes for pasta sauce. For the carrots, she baked Carrot Cake and Carrot Bread.
 
For the main course, from what I can remember, it was Bouilli, Stuffed Peppers, Cabbage Rolls, and Ratatouille. None of them were my favorites as they were bland. There were some limitations back then. She relied either on her small collection of cookbooks 📚, family recipes, or friends.
 
David’s mother was the same. The internet didn’t exist, and there wasn’t a wide selection of cookbooks in the store. Both our mothers took inspiration from women’s magazines or TV shows 📺. Church was another resource. Also, back then, many product packages had recipes printed on their labels.
 
For what it was, they did fabulously 👏!
 
At the beginning of our relationship, my husband and I enjoyed enhancing recipes we weren’t fond of when we were kids. We altered many of them – Stuffed Peppers were on that list 📃. After being pleased with our results, I decided to take it a step further by turning them into other delicious recipes…
 
Besides French Onion Dijon Pork Chops, Nacho Cheese Sandwich 🥪, Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls, Eggs Benny Poutine, Tomato Avocado Tartare, Moo Shu Pork Tortillas, Cauliflower Fried Rice, and others, there was also this one… Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole!
 
This casserole has most of the same ingredients found in my classic Stuffed Peppers. There’s Italian sausage 🐖 along with ground beef, veggies, and Italian seasoning. It’s not an exact duplicate of the original one, but it’s pretty close in flavor.
 
An ingredient that is added to this Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole is jalapeño pepper. There’s not a lot, only 2 tablespoons, enough to add a little heat 🔥 to the dish. Because jalapeño pepper is finely chopped, it doesn’t need that much time to cook.
 
For a jump start, I bring the mixture to a boil and then transfer it to a greased baking dish. This little step helps to save some time, as it takes anywhere from 35 to 40 minutes in the oven or until the rice 🍚 is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
 
The casserole goes back into the oven after the top has been sprinkled with Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese 🧀 along with paprika. Uncovered this time, it’s baked until the cheeses are melted. It’s removed from the heat and allowed to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
 
This Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a delicious 😋 twist, providing a new way to enjoy this old classic! It’s an unpretentious meal, perfect for weeknight dinner. Good as is, it can also be served with a dollop of sour cream on the side.
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious casserole recipes… 😀
– Chicken Scarpariello
– Pierogi Casserole (Perogies)
– Tuna Casserole
– Lancashire Hotpot
– Breakfast Sausage Croissant Casserole
– Frankie’s Macaroni Casserole
– Southwest Chicken & Green Bean Casserole
– Pepper & Sausage Casserole
– Cod au Gratin
– Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole
and for even more casserole recipes 🍲, click on this link… Recipe Category • Casseroles

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/deconstructed-stuffed-pepper-casserole/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube