Ratatouille and Goat Cheese Croustade

Serves:
8-10
Chef:
Irv Miller
Ingredients:
10 each (3½-ounce) baked pastry cups
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Vidalia onions, diced medium
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced medium
1 large eggplant, peeled and diced medium
1 large zucchini, skin on, diced medium
1 large yellow squash, skin on, diced medium
2½ cups vine-ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced medium
1 bunch fresh basil chiffonade
1½ cups Montrachet goat cheese
Sea salt to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper
Splash of balsamic vinegar, optional
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a deep, heavy-bottomed pot, sauté onions and garlic in the olive oil until translucent. Add eggplant, zucchini, squash and green peppers and stir well. Cook over medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes, lifting lid frequently to stir. Remove lid and add tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Transfer tender vegetables to a sheet pan and place in refrigerator until cool. Once vegetables have cooled, place them in a large mixing bowl. Add basil; salt to taste. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar if desired.

Using a 1½-ounce scoop, place one scoop of goat cheese on the bottom of each baked pastry cup. Push down with back of scoop. Place pastry cups on a baking pan and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and top with ratatouille and fresh-cracked pepper. Can be served warm or at room temperature.