RATATOUILLE SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the eggplant, zucchini and bell pepper and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices, the broth and half of the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes. 
• Preheat the broiler. Brush the bread with olive oil; sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence and salt to taste. Broil until lightly toasted. Top with the cheese, then broil until melted. 
• Puree about half of the soup in a blender, then return to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the cheese toasts and the remaining basil.

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 4 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the eggplant and garlic. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is just golden and starts softening, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes just start breaking down, about 3 minutes.
• Add the broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and bring to a simmer, then uncover and cook until the eggplant is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the squash and continue simmering until tender, about 5 more minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the parsley, parmesan, lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Top each bowl of soup with some parsley mixture; serve with bread.