ratatouille & goat cheese dip

this is a delicious and healthy appetizer originally from food and wine magazine. the leftovers are great over toast or pasta. trying to squeeze in as many veg as i can this holiday season. enjoy!

from food & wine

ratatouille and goat cheese dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 medium onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 4 large garlic cloves, minced

• Kosher salt

• One 1 3/4-pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme

• 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 1 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 1 pound medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice

• 1/4 cup chopped basil, plus more for garnish

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• Freshly ground pepper

• 3/4 pound fresh goat cheese

• Assorted chips and crackers, for serving

How to Make It

Step 1    

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic and a generous pinch of salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until just softened and starting to brown, about 8 minutes. Scrape the onions and garlic into a large bowl.

Step 2    

Wipe out the skillet and heat 1/4 cup of the oil in it. Add the eggplant and thyme and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Scrape the eggplant into the bowl with the onions. Repeat with the red pepper, zucchini, yellow squash and tomatoes, cooking each vegetable separately in 1 tablespoon of oil with a generous pinch of salt until just tender and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes per vegetable. As they are cooked, add the vegetables to the bowl of onions and eggplant. Stir in the chopped basil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3    

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the goat cheese in the bottoms of 2 small baking dishes (about 1 quart each). Spoon the ratatouille on top, cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes, until hot. Top with more basil. Serve warm with chips and crackers.

Make Ahead - The ratatouille can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before making the dip.

~kai

edamame (soybean) hummus

this is a riff off of chickpea hummus. it’s a beautiful vibrant green and the flavor is lighter and fresher. it’s a great snack or appetizer, also delicious smeared on toast or in a sandwich. aside from this hummus, soybeans in the pod are also a favorite snack in hawaii with a glass of wine or beer. it’s sort of the local version of boiled peanuts. for the hummus you’ll want to start with the shelled version.

edamame (soybean) hummus

2 cups shelled soybeans, cooked

1 clove of garlic, chopped

1/4 cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon tahini

1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice

salt

pinch of cayenne pepper

put the soybeans, garlic, warm water, olive oil, tahini, pinch of salt, & cayenne into a food processor and blend for a good 3 or 4 minutes. add the mayonnaise and lemon juice and blend for another minute. you want it to be nice and fluffy. taste and add more salt if needed. serve with raw vegetables, crackers, pita bread, sweet potato chips. enjoy!