Ratatouille, A Freezer Favourite

Evening, hope you have had a good weekend. Sunday evening, perhaps the most depressing part of the week.

I went and did a shop on they way home from work, I will update the shopping page tomorrow, but here is a quick look at what I got minus a massive box of soap powder, 6 bottles of coke and some Lidl own brand white rum which comes in at the bargain price of £8.99.

Lidl is very good for some cupboard staples, decaf tea, nuts, coke (39p / bottle) and a large box of soap powder. I bought my last box at xmas so I can definately live with buying soap powder 4 x per annum. Buying in bulk with those things means I reduce the amount of times I go food shopping and therefore reduce those impule (radish) buys. Yea, Go Lidl!

I saw some aubergines, officially my favourite veg and there and then decided to make ratatouille over the weekend, it is so simple especially with a slow cooker. Plus it is virtually fat free, packed with veg and freezes brilliantly.

You will need

• 1 Aubergine
• 1 large courgette
• 1 onion
• 1 pepper - i prefer red
• 2 tins of tomatoes
• 1 small tin of tomato puree
• some garlic, I used garlic granules for the first time
• 2 stock cubes, I used 1 chicken and 1 beef
• and some mixed herbs

Cut all the veg into smallish chunks and bung in the slow cooker with the courgettes at the bottom. Turn onto high and leave for 6-8 hours until the vegetables are cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Leave to cool and decant into Tupperware ready to freeze.

It is great with a BBQ, but I love it best taken to work and put cold on hot toast for a very cheap and healthy lunch. Ooo or add a teaspoon of chilli powder if you like a bit of kick.

Did I mention it is very cheap too - about £3 worth of ingredient provdies abou 12 portions. 25p / portion.

I have told you before I am no cook, but really you cannot go wrong.

Just call me Delia...

Frugally yours
Abigail
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