Ratatouille Stuffed Shells Food

RATATOUILLE STUFFED JACK-O-PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat about 1/4 cup EVOO in a small skillet with the butter. When the butter foams, add the garlic and stir 1 minute. Add the breadcrumbs and stir to soak in the oil and butter. Toast until light golden, then remove from the heat and cool. Mix the cooled breadcrumbs with the cheese and parsley.
• Trim the tops off 6 peppers and reserve, then scoop out the seeds. Using a small, sharp paring knife, cut out a jack-o'-lantern face in each pepper. Set the peppers upright, and if a pepper is very unstable, trim the bottom to make the pepper stable. Season the peppers on the inside with salt and pepper, invert the peppers and place on a baking sheet, tops alongside. Seed and chop the remaining bell pepper and reserve.
• Salt the eggplant and drain 15 minutes in a strainer or on a towel.
• Spray the peppers with a little cooking spray and roast to char the peppers at the edges and tender-crisp doneness, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to handle.
• Heat the remaining EVOO in a large, deep skillet. Add the reserved peppers, thyme, chile, eggplant, onions and zucchini, and some salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir another minute, and remove from the heat.
• Combine the breadcrumbs with the vegetables and taste to check seasoning. Pour the tomato sauce into a casserole dish. Stuff the peppers, overstuffing the cavity a bit, and set the tops in place to complete the Jack-o-Peppers. Place the peppers into the dish as you fill them. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
• To serve, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and roast until the peppers are hot through, 30 to 35 minutes.

RATATOUILLE-STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook pasta shells to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add bell pepper and onion stir-fry, and garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add eggplant and zucchini; cook and stir 3 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes with tomato oil, olives and 1/4 cup of the pasta sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese.
• Fill each cooked pasta shell with about 1/4 cup vegetable mixture. Place in sprayed baking dish. Spoon remaining pasta sauce over shells. Cover with foil.
• Bake 30 minutes. Uncover baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

RATATOUILLE STUFFED RED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Halve 4 of the peppers lengthways, de-seed and place on a large baking tray.
• Cook the rice in boiling water according to pack instructions then drain.
• Meanwhile, fry the onion in 1 tbsp oil for 5 minutes Finely dice the remaining pepper and add to the onions with the zucchini and cook for 2-3 minutes Stir in the tomatoes, season well and cook for a further 5 minutes.
• Stir the rice into the vegetable mixture and spoon into the halved peppers. Top with the breadcrumbs and bake for 15-20 mins until browned.
• Serve with a fresh green salad.