🇫🇷 French Cuisine · Main Dishes

Ratatouille

Prep

20 mins

Cook

45 mins

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

A Provençal vegetable braise of aubergine, courgette, tomato, and peppers in olive oil and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

  • 700g sea bass fillets
  • 300g egg noodles
  • 1 tbsp sliced shallots
  • 1 1/2 tsp herbes de Provence
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • a handful of fresh tarragon, chopped
  • a generous spoonful of cognac

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the sea bass fillets dry, season generously with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme, and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

  2. 2

    Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a wide pan or heavy pot over medium-high heat and sear the sea bass fillets until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pan, gently cook the sliced shallots and minced garlic over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the bay leaves and pearl onions, cooking for a few more minutes so the spices bloom and coat the vegetables.

  5. 5

    Return the sea bass fillets to the pan, pour in the dry white wine, and bring everything to a gentle simmer.

  6. 6

    Cover and cook over low heat until the sea bass fillets is tender and cooked through, roughly 45 mins.

  7. 7

    Stir in the crème fraîche, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

  8. 8

    Scatter over the tarragon and serve hot alongside brioche.

Tips

Leftovers taste even better the next day once the spices have had time to mingle — reheat gently over low heat.

For deeper flavor, marinate the sea bass fillets for at least an hour — or overnight — before cooking.

Avoid crowding the pan when searing the sea bass fillets; work in batches so it browns instead of steaming.