Ratatouille Savoury Strudel Recipe

Overview

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with this Ratatouille Savoury Strudel, a vegetarian dish that perfectly encapsulates the essence of festive dining. This dish is not only a celebration of seasonal vegetables but also a unique centerpiece that even the most dedicated meat-eaters will appreciate. With layers of flaky puff pastry and a rich, flavorful filling of ratatouille and mozzarella cheese, this recipe brings warmth and comfort to your Christmas Eve dinner table.

Description

Created for a vegetarian Christmas Eve dinner party, this Ratatouille Savoury Strudel has proven to be a crowd-pleaser, garnering praise from both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. The combination of fresh vegetables and creamy mozzarella nestled in crispy pastry makes for a truly indulgent dish, ideal for holiday gatherings or any special occasion.

Recipe Details

Ingredients

Nutritional Information

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ratatouille Filling
   Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced red onion and sauté until the onion becomes tender but not browned, which should take about 5 minutes. Next, introduce the tomato pulp (or chopped tomatoes) and the tomato paste to the pan. Stir in the vegetable bouillon granules, salt, pepper, sugar, cayenne pepper, and any additional herbs you prefer, such as thyme or basil. Mix everything well, allowing the flavors to meld together.

2. Cook the Vegetables
   Add the diced eggplant to the skillet, stirring until it is well coated in the sauce. Allow the eggplant to cook for approximately 5 minutes, then add the sliced zucchini and bell pepper. Continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and have released their moisture.

3. Adjust Consistency
   After cooking the vegetables, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as necessary. The ratatouille should be quite dry; if it appears too watery, sprinkle in 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of flour, stirring well while cooking for another minute until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Incorporate Cheese
   Once the filling has cooled for about 5 minutes, gently fold in the cubed mozzarella cheese, ensuring an even distribution throughout the vegetable mixture.

5. Prepare the Puff Pastry
   Preheat your oven to 200°C (about 400°F). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to create a rectangle measuring approximately 40×25 cm (or 16×10 inches). Place the rolled pastry on a cookie sheet lined with baking paper.

6. Assemble the Strudel
   Spoon the ratatouille and mozzarella filling into the center of the pastry rectangle, leaving a border around the edges. Carefully roll up the pastry, encasing the filling, and seal the edges tightly by pinching them together. For an attractive finish, you may wish to tuck the ends under.

7. Egg Wash and Vent
   Brush the surface of the strudel with a beaten egg yolk to give it a golden finish while baking. Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow cuts on top of the pastry to allow steam to escape during baking.

8. Bake the Strudel
   Place the strudel in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. It’s advisable to place a second lined cookie sheet on a lower rack to catch any potential drips from the mozzarella as it melts.

9. Cool and Serve
   Once baked, remove the strudel from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm, and enjoy the delightful combination of flaky pastry and savory ratatouille filling.

This Ratatouille Savoury Strudel is not just a feast for the eyes, but also a perfect harmony of flavors that celebrate the best of seasonal vegetables, making it a delightful addition to your festive gatherings. Share it with friends and family, and watch it become a beloved recipe for many Christmases to come!