Cheese And Ratatouille: Perfect Pairing For A Hearty Dish

Ratatouille is a classic French dish, often served with cheese. While traditional ratatouille doesn't contain cheese, many recipes call for a topping of hard, dry cheese like Parmesan or Manchego. Other popular options include goat's cheese, cheddar, and Havarti. Some recipes incorporate cheese into the dish by adding a layer of cheese sauce.

Goat's cheese, a mixture of green and yellow courgettes, is a good combination

Goats Cheese and Courgettes: A Perfect Match for Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a delicious dish, full of flavour and colour. It is a classic French dish, with Mediterranean vegetables, and is a great option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Goat's Cheese and Courgettes: The Perfect Combination

Goats cheese is a wonderful addition to ratatouille, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour. The cheese can be crumbled over the top of the ratatouille, creating a delicious, golden crust when baked. A mixture of green and yellow courgettes adds further colour and a fresh, summery feel to the dish. The courgettes can be sliced thinly and arranged in alternating circles on top of the ratatouille, creating an attractive, vibrant pattern.

Recipe Ideas

There are several ways to incorporate goats cheese and courgettes into your ratatouille. One option is to create a baked ratatouille with a layer of cheese sauce and crumbled goats cheese, topped with the courgette slices. This can be served with crusty bread, perfect for mopping up the sauce. Another idea is to make a roasted ratatouille and goats cheese tart, with a shortcrust pastry base. This makes a great centrepiece for a picnic or al fresco lunch.

A Versatile Dish

Ratatouille with goats cheese and courgettes is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be enjoyed on its own, as a vegetarian main course, or served with meats such as lamb or veal as a tasty side. It also works well as a pasta sauce, adding an extra depth of flavour to your dish.

A Tasty, Healthy Option

This combination of goats cheese and courgettes with ratatouille is not only delicious but also provides a healthy option, packed with vegetables. It is a great way to get your five-a-day and can be made in advance, making it a convenient option for busy cooks.

So, if you're looking for a tasty, healthy dish with a summery feel, why not try ratatouille with goats cheese and a mixture of green and yellow courgettes? It's a perfect combination of flavours and colours, and a great way to elevate this classic French dish.

Manchego is a hard, dry cheese that can be served on the side

While ratatouille is a delicious dish on its own, some people like to add cheese to it. There are several types of cheese that go well with ratatouille, including goat cheese, parmesan, cheddar, and manchego.

Manchego is a hard, dry Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a rich, sharp, and nutty flavour that pairs well with the sweetness of ratatouille. Its firm texture makes it ideal for serving on the side, as it can be sliced or cubed and added to the dish as desired.

When serving manchego with ratatouille, it is recommended to have it alongside some crusty bread or a baguette. This combination provides a satisfying contrast of textures and flavours. The bread can be used to dip into the ratatouille or to create small bites with the cheese.

In addition to its taste and texture, manchego also has a distinctive appearance. It often comes in small, rectangular blocks with a distinctive zigzag pattern on the rind. This pattern is created during the pressing process and adds to the cheese's visual appeal.

When purchasing manchego for serving with ratatouille, look for one that is firm but not too dry. Younger manchego tends to be softer and creamier, while aged manchego can be quite hard and crumbly. A semi-firm texture will provide the best balance of flavour and ease of eating.

In conclusion, manchego is an excellent choice for those looking for a cheese to serve on the side with ratatouille. Its flavour, texture, and visual appeal make it a delightful addition to this classic French dish.

Parmesan can be grated on top or served with crusty bread

Parmesan is a great cheese to incorporate into your ratatouille dish. It can be grated on top of the ratatouille or served with crusty bread on the side.

If you want to grate the Parmesan on top, it is recommended to use a vegetable peeler to get strips of Parmesan, rather than grating it. This will add a nice texture to your dish.

If you prefer to serve the Parmesan on the side, a crusty baguette or sourdough bread is a great option. You can also serve the ratatouille with artisanal crackers and a variety of other cheeses. This way, your guests can enjoy the ratatouille with different types of cheese and choose their favourite.

In addition to Parmesan, other hard, dry cheeses like Manchego are also a good option to serve with ratatouille. You can also try a washed-rind French cheese or goat cheese, which is a popular choice for those who like a tangy flavour.

Cheddar cheese is a good topping for aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes

Cheddar cheese is a great topping for aubergines, courgettes, and tomatoes. This combination of vegetables is commonly found in ratatouille, a classic South-of-France specialty. While ratatouille is traditionally served without cheese, some variations include a topping of grated or sliced cheese.

Cheddar cheese, specifically mature cheddar, can complement the flavours of aubergines, courgettes, and tomatoes in a ratatouille. The sharpness of mature cheddar adds a tangy twist to the sweetness of the tomato sauce and the bitterness of the aubergine skins. The cheese also provides a creamy texture that blends well with the softness of the vegetables.

When preparing a ratatouille with cheddar cheese, it is essential to consider the cooking process. The cheese is typically added towards the end of the baking time to prevent overcooking and charring. By sprinkling the cheese and baking for a shorter duration, you allow the cheddar to melt and brown slightly without burning. This technique helps create a visually appealing and tasty dish.

Additionally, the quantity of cheese used is crucial. Using too much cheese can overpower the other ingredients, while too little may not provide the desired flavour enhancement. Experimenting with different amounts will help determine the optimal quantity for personal preference.

Cheddar cheese is a versatile option that can be paired with other cheeses as well. For instance, a combination of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses can offer a more complex flavour profile to the ratatouille. The sharpness of the cheddar blends with the nutty, salty notes of the Parmesan, creating a multidimensional taste experience.

In conclusion, cheddar cheese is an excellent choice for topping aubergines, courgettes, and tomatoes in a ratatouille. Its distinct flavour and texture enhance the overall dining experience, making it a popular option for those seeking a cheesy twist to this classic French dish.

Polenta cakes or soft polenta can be served with ratatouille

Polenta cakes or soft polenta can be a delicious accompaniment to ratatouille, a classic French dish. The creamy polenta complements the ratatouille's rich tomato base and vegetables, creating a satisfying meal. Here are some tips and variations to consider:

Creamy Polenta

A simple yet flavourful combination of cornmeal, water, Parmesan cheese, and butter forms the basis of creamy polenta. This side dish is easy to prepare and pairs perfectly with the ratatouille. The cornmeal is boiled in water and whisked vigorously until thickened. After simmering, grated Parmesan is added, resulting in a creamy texture. For a vegan option, simply omit the dairy products and enhance the flavour with truffle oil, vegan dashi stock powder, or nutritional yeast.

Polenta Cakes

For a more structured presentation, polenta can be prepared as cakes or slices. To make polenta cakes, cook the polenta until it loses its grainy texture, then mix in butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. The polenta mixture is then cut into slices and cooked in a skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned. This method adds a crispy texture to the soft polenta, creating a delightful contrast.

Char-grilled Ratatouille

To elevate your ratatouille, try individually pan-frying the vegetables to impart a rich, smoky flavour. This extra step adds depth and complexity to the dish. Char-grilling the vegetables, such as eggplants, zucchini, and capsicums, gives them a delicious charred exterior while maintaining a tender interior. The ratatouille can then be served warm or allowed to develop flavours when chilled for a day.

Presentation

When serving polenta with ratatouille, spoon generous servings of the soft polenta into bowls and top with the ratatouille. For added texture and flavour, garnish with fresh herbs and serve with crusty bread. The combination of creamy polenta, savoury ratatouille, and crisp bread creates a delightful interplay of tastes and textures.

In conclusion, polenta cakes or soft polenta make excellent companions to ratatouille. The polenta's mild flavour and creamy texture complement the robust flavours of the ratatouille, resulting in a well-rounded and satisfying culinary experience. Whether served as a main course or a side dish, this pairing is sure to impress and satisfy.

Frequently asked questions