Fat-free ratatouille

1 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1largeEggplant (about 1.5 LB's)
1mediumZucchini (2\" to 3\" by about 10\" long (about 3/4 lb)
1largeYellow crookneck squash ( About 3/4 LB's )
1mediumGreen pepper ( about 4\" in Diameter )
1mediumRed pepper ( about 4\" in Diameter )
15 5 oz. can V8 Juice ( or Other vegetable type juice
16 oz. can tomato paste
2teaspoonsChopped garlic
2cupsWater
2tablespoonsEach of fresh chopped
Oregano, basil, & thyme (If using dry spice use 1/2 ts Each)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large pot as you prepare them. Peel eggplant and dice into ½" cubes. Split and quarter zucchini and yellow crookneck, than dice into ½" pieces. Remove tough stem and seeds for both peppers and dice into ½" pieces. Add the water, tomato paste and V8 Juice and mix well. Add the garlic and the spices and mix again. Heat pot on medium/high for a few minutes until just ready to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover. Stir periodically to prevent burning. Cook at least 1 hour, a long simmer enhances the flavor.

Serve over pasta, rice, potatoes, wheat berries, lettuce, or alone. Keeps quite well in the icebox. OPTIONAL M**T STYLE USING TVP 1 cup TVP ( large chunk size ) ½ cup boiling water ¼ cup tamari ¼ cup Mirin Mix TVP, tamari and mirin together in a bowl. Pour boiling water over it and mix. Let stand about 15 to 20 minutes, mixing several times. Drain and add to the ratatouille pot about 30 minutes into the simmer.

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini