Spicy Ratatouille with Harissa

I had a beautiful eggplant to use up, so I decided to make some ratatouille.  This is a quick meal to throw together in the slow cooker-- all you have to do is saute some veggies and let the slow cooker do the rest. I was able to put this meal together in the slowcooker in less than 20 minutes, including all the chopping!

Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small zucchini, cut into half moons
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
5-6 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 14 oz can cut tomatoes
1 tablespoon harissa
1/4 cup white wine (or water)
2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon oregano
3-4 leaves torn fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper

*I have a slow cooker with an insert that can be used on a stovetop like a pot, so I just start the ratatouille on the stove and finish it in the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours (low for 6-7 hours). But you can just simmer it on med/low for a few hours if you are home or transfer it to the slow cooker after the ratatouille comes to a simmer.

What I did:

Saute the onions for a minute in 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Add the eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini and season with salt, pepper, Herbs de Provence and oregano. If the eggplant soaks up all the oil, then add some more.  Deglaze with the wine. Let it simmer away until the wine concentrates.  Add the tomatoes, harissa, and basil. Add extra water, enough to cover the veggies. Season with more salt and pepper. I cooked mine on high for a little over 3 hours since I threw this together in the afternoon and wanted it to be ready by dinner time.

This ratatouille is so flavorful and the harissa adds a kick of spice that makes up for not using chicken stock or broth (which is what I used to use).  I love ratatouille because you can eat it hot, cold or room temperature and you can eat it as is or over rice, over pasta, with some crusty bread or even cous cous. Ratatouille is so versatile and it is a super easy way to get a ton of veggies in one meal--it is the perfect one pot wonder meal!