Ratatouille: history and origins of the French dish - Gambero Rosso International (2024)

FAQs

What is the history and origin of ratatouille? ›

The history of the recipe for Ratatouille is said to be from France originally, though the ingredients and style of preparation has some historians wondering if it actually originated from the Basque region of Spain. The modern recipe for Ratatouille originated in the Nice and Provencal regions of France.

The word ratatouille derives from the Occitan ratatolha and is related to the French ratouiller and tatouiller, expressive forms of the verb touiller, meaning "to stir up". From the late 18th century, in French, it merely indicated a coarse stew.

The Signature Dish in Disney's 'Ratatouille' Wasn't Actually Ratatouille. The stunning layered vegetable creation unveiled by the charming rat chef is a Provençal specialty known as a tian.

From a peasant dish made with the few ingredients available, ratatouille became a restaurant-worthy dish, today known beyond national borders thanks to the computer-animated film that made it a success, inspiring chefs of all levels to prepare it in the most original versions.

The first known recipe for ratatouille dates to the 19th century and the first known instance of its name to the late 18th century, although the dish was probably well known long before that. Whatever the case, ratatouille is the signature dish of Nice, the major city of Provence.

French food culture is the focus of the movie, as the two protagonists, Remy the rat and Linguini, work together to rise up as cooks in the kitchen of a fine dining restaurant. While Remy is a rat, he is a French rat and thus is portrayed as a food enthusiast and gourmand, both enjoying and creating his own food.

Jan Pinkava came up with the concept in 2000, creating the original design, sets and characters and core storyline, but he was never formally named the director of the film. By 2004, Pixar added Bob Peterson as a co-director and he was given exclusive control of the story.

The film sold more than $60 million in tickets, placing it No. 1 at the French box office for six weeks, beating the record set by “Titanic.” The success of “Ratatouille” is not particularly surprising. It is set in Paris and celebrates French culture.

With its summery combination of aubergines, courgettes, peppers and tomatoes, ratatouille is a beloved classic of southern French cuisine, particularly in Nice.

The dish that Remy creates in Ratatouille, technically, isn't Ratatouille. It's really a dish that goes by the name of (fancy French term alert!) Confit Byaldi that was perfected by the great chef Thomas Keller.

What is the meaning of ratatouille dish? ›

: a seasoned stew made of eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, and sometimes meat.

How to Serve Ratatouille. This simple recipe can be served as a side dish — or a main dish all on its own. It's excellent served with toasted slices of French bread, tossed with pasta, or even over rice. Add ground meat or cooked chicken for additional protein.

Narrator : [on television] Although each of the world's countries would like to dispute this fact, we French know the truth: the best food in the world is made in France. The best food in France is made in Paris. And the best food in Paris, some say, is made by Chef Auguste Gusteau.

Lamb. Sure, steak and pork chops go wonderfully with ratatouille. But no meat tastes better with this vegetable stew than a perfectly seasoned leg of lamb. It's the most popular Provencal pairing, and for good reason.

Remy is a rat who simply adores food and its quality. He has a friend who is a spectral representation of the late Auguste Gusteau, Remy's hero. He is shown to have a very good sense of smell, which is probably due to his likeness to food, so Remy's father, Django, gave him a job as poison-checker.

Try things that might not work. You never know until you try. Even if something doesn't work, at least you'll know for next time.

Ratatouille is a classic Provencal French vegetable stew recipe. The word ratatouille is derived from the Occitan term “ratatolha” and the French words “rata” meaning chunky stew and “touiller” which means to toss food or stir up.

Colette Tatou is a character in Ratatouille. She is Linguini's co-worker and eventual girlfriend.

The ratatouille is a widely renowned vegetable stew from Nice, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This mouth-watering, colourful dish has become a mainstay of both family gatherings and gastronomic restaurants in the south of France.

In Italy - the Italians have a similar recipe called caponata. This dish is used more like a relish. In Spain - the Spaniards have a similar dish is called pisto. In Greece - the Greeks have a similar dish called briami, which typically includes potatoes in to the classic mix.

Should ratatouille be served hot or cold? ›

Ratatouille can be eaten hot or cold with meats, eggs or just spread onto fresh bread.

Here, we've gathered a sampling of our traditional French favorites: the wine-braised chicken stew coq au vin, the Provençal fish stew bouillabaisse, a vegetable-based take on French onion soup, and more. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy cooking your way through these classics.

Fruity, rich and genereous, the Côtes de Provence and Bandol wines match well with this veggie dish. Made of blends of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache, the Côtes de Provence wines give aromas of red fruits, peach and apricot and show great freshness that will help you to cope with the heat on hot summer days!

There's nothing better than quinoa salad! This version of the salad is packed with fresh tomatoes, red onion, corn, black beans, cotija cheese, fresh lime, and avocados, giving it a nice flavor and texture fit for your ratatouille.

Super easy to make, and delicious served hot or cold, it is an ideal hearty vegan main dish or simple side dish. And ratatouille also freezes well, so why not stock the freezer with this easy meal.

Succinctly defined, Ratatouille is a traditional French Provencal vegetable stew. But that simplifies this delicious dish, which has a complicated history, carries much debate on its best preparation, and, for many, is most closely associated with the 2007 Disney animated movie which bears its name.

It's a stew of zucchini, peppers, tomatoes and eggplant, with herbs and spices and some onions and garlic usually thrown in for good measure.

The success of “Ratatouille” is not particularly surprising. It is set in Paris and celebrates French culture.

French food culture is the focus of the movie, as the two protagonists, Remy the rat and Linguini, work together to rise up as cooks in the kitchen of a fine dining restaurant. While Remy is a rat, he is a French rat and thus is portrayed as a food enthusiast and gourmand, both enjoying and creating his own food.

A classic ratatouille includes eggplant (aubergines), zucchini (courgettes), bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil and herbs. Its name is a combination of the French word “rata” meaning a stew with whole pieces and the verb “touiller” which means to stir, toss, or mix.

What does Ratatouille mean in French? ›

noun. traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish.

Lamb. Sure, steak and pork chops go wonderfully with ratatouille. But no meat tastes better with this vegetable stew than a perfectly seasoned leg of lamb. It's the most popular Provencal pairing, and for good reason.

In Italy - the Italians have a similar recipe called caponata. This dish is used more like a relish. In Spain - the Spaniards have a similar dish is called pisto. In Greece - the Greeks have a similar dish called briami, which typically includes potatoes in to the classic mix.

This heartbreaking story was not an invention. Pixar took inspiration from Bernard Loiseau, a gastronomical legend from France who died by suicide when he found out about a star that was going to be knocked off. Like Gusteau, Loiseau was also a pioneer in French cuisine, and foodies would recognize the parallels well.

Gusteau's is the famed Parisian establishment that is home to Chef Remy from Disney and Pixar's “Ratatouille.” It's also the soon-to-be setting for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, the delicious new attraction opening this summer at Epcot.