French Ratatouille Toasts with Herbed Goat Cheese

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium Eggplant
• 1 medium Zucchini
• 1/2 medium Bell pepper
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1/8 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes(optional)
• 4 slices Bread slices
• 4 oz Goat cheese
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (15 minutes): Dice eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper into bite-size pieces; halve the cherry tomatoes; mince garlic; chop parsley.

2. 2

   Cook ratatouille (25 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper with a pinch of salt; cook 8–10 minutes, stirring, until starting to soften. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Add cherry tomatoes and cook 12–15 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and saucy.

3. 3

   Toast and finish: While the ratatouille cooks, toast bread until crisp. Mix goat cheese with parsley and lemon juice. Spoon ratatouille over toast and top with herbed goat cheese. Serve hot.