I am back with #SundaySupper after taking time off for vacation and what a lovely time that was. I came back just in time to join in on this wonderful theme, movie-inspired dishes. Well, there are lots to choose from. I went directly in my head to Julie and Julia.
I have had a lifetime love affair with Julia Child’s recipes but I have done so many of them on my site already I thought I would try going somewhere else instead.
What About Remy?
Then my mind wandered to Ratatouille the movie. A delightfully funny and entertaining movie that we all enjoyed. Remy (a rat) has a dream to become a chef and with the help of Linguini, a garbage boy, at the restaurant Gusteau’s he embarks on cooking.
This is one dish that I felt I had not succeeded at yet. I have tried so many and Ken has even smoked a ratatouille. What’s not to like about it, you say?
Well for us it is the eggplant. It seems to always be bitter and not cooked right along with the other veggies. It turns out spongy and is a veggie that we all don’t like. Why not just omit it then? Well, good question but that is not how I roll.
Try, Try Again!
I want to like it, I want to add it, I love the looks of the veggie with its deep aubergine color. So off I went to think about how to do this and try to make the best Ratatouille I have ever made. For us, I came up with the perfect combination.
Ken adored it!! Amber with new braces on that day had to have some and loved it too. The secret was to peel the eggplant and then saute it with garlic and Herbs de Provence which gave it so much flavor and took the sponginess away. If you like Ratatouille you will love this one.

Ratatouille Inspired By Ratatouille the movie for #SundaySupper
Ratatouille Inspired By Ratatouille the movie for #SundaySupper. Ratatouille Inspired By Ratatouille the movie for #SundaySupper. A wonderfully balanced ratatouille
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil plus more for the ceramic dish
- 3 tsp. Herbs de Provence
- 2 tsp. garlic, minced
- 8 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 large zucchini, red onion & green pepper all sliced
- 10 large mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups Mozarella, grated
- Parmesan, freshly grated
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Peel the eggplant and dice. In a medium fry pan, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat.
- Add the eggplant, 2 tsp. Herbs de Provence and the garlic and stir fry until the eggplant is lightly browned.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Oil a 12x16" ceramic dish, add the eggplant scattered across the bottom.
- Add 4 of the sliced tomatoes with the eggplant. Salt and pepper to taste and then grate the desired amount of Parmesan cheese on.
- Continue to layer veggies and salt and pepper and sprinkle Parmesan with each layer.
- Finish with the remaining 4 sliced tomatoes, salt, and pepper to taste and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp. of Herbs de Provence.
- Sprinkle with the 2 cups mozzarella and desired amount of Parmesan.
- Bake in the oven for 45-55 min. until veggies are tender and the cheese has browned.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 137Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 186mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 7g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Here are all the fabulous recipes that were inspired by movies. What movie would you have picked? Check them out and then leave your comment.
Toast (bready things)
- Scones (inspired by Tea with Mussolini) – Country Girl in the Village
- Croque Monsieur (inspired by It’s Complicated) – That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
- Mystical Double Cheese Pizza (inspired by Mystic Pizza) – Webicurean
- Vanilla Cinnamon Pancakes (inspired by No Reservations) – Pies and Plots
No Reservations (soups and salads)
- 10-Minute Potato Ham Soup with Pesto Swirl (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Shockingly Delicious
Today’s Special (fish, chicken, beef, and pork)
- الدار البيضاء Fish Tajine (inspired by Casablanca) – Maroc Mama
- Beef and Onions Braised in Beer (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Magnolia Days
- Spicy Seared Tuna with Balsamic Reduction (inspired by Big Fish) – I Run For Wine
- Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs (inspired by Brave) – Big Bear’s Wife
- Puerco Pibil (inspired by Once Upon a Time in Mexico) – From the Bookshelf
Forks Over Knives (veggie-heavy dishes and sides)
- Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (inspired by The Joy Luck Club) – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Beet Chips (inspired by Food Matters) – girlichef
- Ratatouille (inspired by Ratatouille) – Noshing With The Nolands
- Mushroom and Asparagus Mini Quiches (inspired by Sixteen Candles) – Home Cooking Memories
Udon (pasta and noodles)
- Big Night Timpano (inspired by Big Night) – Kimchi Mom
- Better Baked Mac & Cheese (inspired by Soul Food) – What Smells So Good?
- Spaghetti with Meatballs and Gravy (inspired by Lady and the Tramp) – Juanita’s Cocina
- Spicy Sichuan Noodles (inspired by Eat Drink Man Woman) – Food Lust People Love
Just Desserts (sweet treats)
- Chocolate Almond Torte with Raspberries (inspired by Chocolat) – Vintage Kitchen
- Iocane-Dusted Brownies of Unusual Size (BOUS’) (inspired by The Princess Bride) – The Cooking Actress
- Minny’s Chocolate Pie (inspired by The Help) – Daily Dish Recipes
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (inspired by Life of Pi) – No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Almond Coconut Bars (inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) – Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- (Gluten Free) Orange Soda Pound Cake (inspired by Joe Vs The Volcano) – Blueberries and Blessings
- Golden Ticket Peanut Butter-Pretzel Truffles (inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) – Weekend Gourmet
- French Macarons (inspired by Marie Antoinette) – Happy Baking Days
- Pistachio and Cherry Cannoli Cups (inspired by The Godfather) – Peanut Butter and Peppers
Bottle Shock (beverages)
- Raspberry Cordial (inspired by Anne of Green Gables) – NeighborFood
- Wines To Pair With #SundaySupper Movie-Inspired Recipes (inspired by Sideways) – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Comments & Reviews
The Ninja Baker says
Appreciate your tips about peeling the eggplants and sautéing avec herbes des Provenc and garlic. Your ratatouille does look like a smile producer =)
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Kim!!
Renee says
Ratatouille sounds so good and yet I have never made it. I’m not a fan of eggplant so I wonder if there is a good substitute or if it is not ratatouille if eggplant is not an ingredient. Looks like I’ve added another to-do on my list thanks to your inspiration.
Toby @ Plate Fodder says
Although it’s not ratatouille without it, I sometimes make it with swede or turnips instead of eggplant for a change of textures and taste.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for the tips!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
The way I made it I think you might like it. It gave to much flavor to the eggplant with no bitterness or sponginess.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I love Disney movies. I could watch them all day. This ratatouille looks wonderful. I’m happy to hear you had a great vacation. Welcome back!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Jennie!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum Ratatouille! I have yet to see the movie, but I love Disney movies and I am betting I would love this one, especially if you were inspired to make a fabulous dish like ratatouille! Welcome home Tara!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Jennifer, I think you would enjoy the movie!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Weird fact: Ratatouille is the only pixar (non-sequel) I’ve never seen. I know, weird right?
Your ratatouille looks perfect!
Noshing with the Nolands says
You will have to change that and give it a watch. Great foodie Disney movie!!
Toby @ Plate Fodder says
I can always make a meal of just ratatouille… such the perfect light dinner dish! Yours looks nosh enticing!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Toby!!
Heather @girlichef says
A ratatouille that’s been cooked to perfection is one of the best things in the world – and this looks amazing! I’ll take an extra-large serving, please… 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
I like it when it has some extra cheese, you can make a meal on it!!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
Great idea about peeling the eggplant! Your dish looks amazing. I can’t wait to give it a try. Ratatouille is a dish that I have not yet mastered myself. lol
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Shannon, I hope you do try it!!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says
We just saw that movie the other day again. It’s a completely food movie classic and sooo cute! I used to have a white rat called jerry (she was super clean and you have no idea how much I wash my hands!) and when I would cook she would come and ask for a piece of tomato. She loved cheese of course and she started to enjoy ratatouille too. I miss my little “kitchen helper” and that is why this movie and of course this dish mean so much for me.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for sharing your story, so cute!!
Amanda @ MarocMama says
This is one of the best looking ratatouille’s I’ve ever seen! This is also one of my very favorite animated movies, sadly I have to really coax my boys to watch it :(. Have you tried soaking your eggplant in salt water before cooking? This pulls out some of that bitterness.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Never soaked the eggplant, thanks for the tip!!
Laura Dembowski says
Ratatouille is the cutest movie ever! So great that you were inspire by it.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for coming over Laura!!
Family Foodie says
Glad to have you back to #SundaySupper… love your pics with the movie in the background…just awesome!
Liz says
One of my all time favorite veggie dishes! I don’t know why I only make it in the summer…I need it now!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
It would be so good with fresh summer veggies!!
Stacy says
I do love eggplant but I know what you mean about the sponginess sometimes. If the skins are thick, I tend to peel every other strip so that some of the lovely purple remains and then I cube or slice and salt it to draw the bitterness out. Your dish looks beautiful with all the layers and the golden topping of cheese, Tara.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for the tips Stacy!!
Diana @GourmetDrizzles says
Love this movie! And great tip on the eggplant. I’ve never really liked eggplant, and your tip to peel and saute it just might make me an eggplant lover, yet! 😉
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Diana, I think you just might like it this way too!!
Alaiyo Kiasi-Barnes says
Your movie pick is one of the few animated movies that I enjoyed. How can you go wrong with a food movie–even an animated one? I’ve never made ratatouille, but I’m inspired to give it a try after looking at your beautiful dish! Thanks for sharing.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Alaiyo!!
Megan says
I LOVE ratatouille (the movie) and ate ratatouille the first time because of the movie. Great post 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
There you go Megan, I am glad the movie inspired you too!!
Shelby | Diabetic Foodie says
I watched this cute movie with my nephews. I don’t think I’ve ever tried making ratatouille, but you’ve inspired me. Yummy looking photo!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Shelby. My hubby really liked this one!!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I’m glad you discovered the secret! I’m never really a fan of eggplant either. We eat it occasionally, but I’m never that impressed. I’ll have to try it this way!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for coming over Courtney!!
Martin D. Redmond says
Wow…I haven’t had ratatouille in years! Your recipes looks great! Glad you like the Rioja pairing.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Love the Rioja pairing, thanks for coming over Martin!!
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
My daughter is only 2.5 and isn’t into movies yet but I can’t wait to watch ones like this when she is!! Great dish!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Tammi, she will love it when she is a bit older!!
Katie says
Yummmm! Not only do I love Ratatouille, but the movie is seriously adorable. Love how beautifully your dish came out…I want to reach through the screen and take a bite!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Katie!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
I LOVE this movie!
Have you tried using Japanese eggplant – the long thin ones with the light purple skin? These eggplants have a thinner skin and are less bitter than the typical big, dark purply ones.
Anyway, I need to try this recipe soon! Sounds so healthy and flavorful!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Amy, I have tried the Japanese eggplant and I really do like it better but I rarely see it in the grocery store. I hope you try the dish and enjoy it.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
A perfect recipe for the upcoming summer veggie season. Such a great choice and a fun movie!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Renee!!
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
I loved the movie, and have never had the dish. But it certainly looks delicious!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for coming over Conni!
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
I loved Ratatouille! It always makes me smile whenever we watch it. This looks like a lovely recipe, Tara!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Lyn!!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
What a lovely Ratatouille! Great idea with the eggplant, we’ll have to try that. I love eggplant, even though I’m not too great at cooking it…