Meatless Friday: Easy Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

Catholic novelist Stephanie Landsem shares her recipe for ratatouille, made with all the fresh vegetables her garden has to offer. Enjoy this for your next Meatless Friday meal.

Editor's Note: You may already know of Stephanie Landsem from reading her Living Waters novels based on Gospel stories (and if you haven't, check out the book links in her bio below!) but her creative talents go beyond writing books. Her author newsletter and Facebook page include more than just book news: she's quite a gardener in her own right. Here she shares a recipe made with garden-fresh vegetables, perfect for a harvest-time Meatless Friday. (That said, don't miss her books!) --Barb

Got Tomatoes?

When I'm not writing, I've been harvesting a bumper crop of heirloom tomatoes. I love to eat them fresh, but my kids prefer them cooked into this easy ratatouille. Give it a try if you have extra veggies from your garden or farmers market. There's no wrong way to do it, and it turns out great every time!

[Tweet "Got tomatoes? @stephlandsem cooks up ratatouille in the #slowcooker for #MeatlessFriday!"]

Easy Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

6 to 8 ripe tomatoes
a couple bell peppers
a couple small zucchini or one big one
an onion or two
a big spoonful of chopped garlic
one small can tomato paste
a handful of fresh basil

Roughly chop the veggies and throw them in the crockpot with the garlic and tomato paste. Cook all day on low, stirring occasionally. A splash of red wine at this point wouldn't hurt (either for you or in the crock pot). When everything is all cooked together nicely, add salt to taste. Chop a handful of basil and stir it in before serving. Great on fish, pasta, rice or just by the spoonful!

You can find all our Meatless Friday featured recipes here.

About the author: Stephanie Landsem writes novels that bring the unknown women of the Bible to life. The Living Water series—The Well, The Thief, and The Tomb, a Novel of Martha—are biblically authentic stories of women transformed by encounters with Jesus, the Incarnation. Most recently, she’s collaborated with nine Catholic women to write a creative and prayerful journey through Jerusalem. Walk In Her Sandals, Experiencing Christ’s Passion Through the Eyes of Women brings to life the days of Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost for individual prayer or book clubs. Stephanie lives in Minnesota with her husband and four children. You can find out more about Stephanie and her books at StephanieLandsem.com.