Recipe courtesy of DW Fitness Clubs
Ratatouille
This recipe is ideal for those who want to avoid animal products. What it lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for in flavour!
The health benefits
This warming, low-calorie meal is highly nutritious. Aubergines are a great source of dietary fibre and offer a nice mix of vitamins B1, B3, B6 and K. Courgette is also an under-appreciated ingredient. It is a good source of magnesium, which is needed for 300 biochemical reactions in the body - not least muscle functionality.
Ingredients (serves 4)
• Two aubergines (cut into wedges)
• Three small courgettes (sliced)
• Three red or green peppers (sliced)
• Five large ripe tomatoes
• Two cloves of garlic (finely sliced)
• Two large red onions (chopped)
• Two tbsp of olive oil
• A small bunch of fresh basil
• One tsp of salt
• One tsp of black pepper
• One tsp of sweetener
• 300ml of boiling water
Cooking instructions
• Firstly, you'll want to soften your tomatoes with the boiling water. Score them twice each and pour the water over them. Leave for two minutes and drain off the liquid. Peel away the skins and cut the tomatoes roughly into quarters.
• Heat your oil in a casserole dish and add your red onions and sliced garlic. Cook them until they start to soften (around 10 minutes).
• Add the aubergine and courgette and cook for another five minutes.
• Throw in half of your fresh basil, season with salt, pepper and sweetener, and then cover the dish with a lid and leave to simmer on a low heat for 25 minutes.
• Finally, add your chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook for a further five minutes.