My First Time Making Ratatouille (Confit Byaldi) - it was HARD

[@lmpeters]

Fun fact: while ratatouille is a French recipe, the fancy version was originally created by the legendary American chef Thomas Keller, who also taught French cooking to the Pixar staff who produced the movie.

[@biancajingles2690]

Merle you are so funny to think the bell pepper would explode 😂 charring peppers like that is very common in Mexican cooking, especially with pasilla chiles for rajas en crema 😊 keeping the stems/tops of the peppers on while charring helps to keep its shape while you’re turning it around.

[@ngaston-mcdonald3744]

This ratatouille is the jazzed up version for presentation. Home made ratatouille is less pretty to look at and in my humble opinion tastier. My family lives by a simple rule; the messiest things are the tastiest. Don't worry so much about the presentation when cooking for yourself, that's where that feeling of a marathon comes from. I personally know that feeling because ratatouille is a go to dish for my daughters. Love seeing your little Muppet Lucille. Give her extra love and hugs from your viewers!

[@MerleONeal]

I agree with you about the presentation- in my day to day life I do NOTTT put that much effort in like ever hahaha

[@jandmvideos9051]

Until that rat movie, I had never seen ratatouille presented in that way. I had always seen it as a kind of vegetable stew with the vegetables usually chopped rather than sliced. If you don’t have a gas stove, you can use the broiler on your oven to blister the peppers.

[@IQzminus2]

Yeah, it’s just roughly diced in big size of the vegetables and then just a stew. Pretty easy to make. Meant to be a homey rustic dish. And makes what type of aubergine you use not matter. The taste will be the same, the Pixar invented one is just about taking a humble food and focusing all on the presentation. But the taste is the same thing. It’s just presentation. It’s like taking mac and cheese and cooking the pasta and cheese sauce separately, then taking the macaroni and perfectly aligning them in the same direction in a perfect line. Then timing it so the cheese sauce is the perfect temperature and consistency to piping it out of a piping bag. And then squeezing the cheese sauce in a fancy pattern on top. And the quality of the cheese sauce and everything is the same as usual and it tastes the same.

[@Toastybees]

Yeah restaurants will throw a bunch of extra technique and presentation into a simple dish but it's nice when the food looks elegant and it adds to the atmosphere.

[@yahiryoung]

Hi Merle here in México we used that method to roast poblano peppers too, usually when we cook Rajas poblanas, you should try them! Also you can put the peppers in a ziploc bag or sealed container to let them sweat.

[@Faith_Soprano]

"It didn't explode. That means I was right to worry that it was gonna explode." Yeah, that checks out. 😄

[@katielouise210]

ahh i love this!!! honestly babish's videos bring me such comfort, it's like an auto response to watch them now if i'm mentally in a rubbish place. and the same absolutely goes for yours too merle! wednesday's are always a bit rubbish but knowing you're posting makes them that bit better!! 💙

[@MerleONeal]

that makes me so happy

[@Foo007]

I love serving Babish’s ratatouille over rice or some crusty grilled bread for dinner - it’s a go-to weekend meal in my vegetarian family (it gets easier the more you make it) And that top is EVERYTHING

[@AlicedeTerre]

This was the first thing my boyfriend and I cooked together when we started dating like 13 years ago. We like to put it on top of fried polenta and we add goat cheese, but any heavy rich topping like a vegan cheese or yogurt would be a good substitute to give it more substance.

[@MerleONeal]

that is a great idea!

[@lauracurriston9778]

This looks so good!! I have a tip on how to better use the mandolin part of the grater again! Instead of gripping the top of the grater and grating vertically, flip it horizontally and grate in a horizontal way away from you (still holding the handle)! This may help get a cleaner slice!!!

[@MerleONeal]

HOTTTT tip

[@TiffanyYoung-bv2gb]

Merle, here’s a secret…even those of us who did go to culinary school are always learning as we go. Maybe different lessons, but the art of culinary excellence is an ever evolving journey with never ending lessons. Btw, ratatouille sounds amazing!! Great job making it. It’s also great with some crusty homemade sourdough.

[@TiffanyYoung-bv2gb]

Also, an easier way to remove the skin off the peppers let them sit in a bowl covered and let cool for a bit. (They’ll still blend just fine) once they’re cool enough the be handled just rub them gently with a towel and the skin will come right off

[@MerleONeal]

thank you for the hot tip!!!

[@TiffanyYoung-bv2gb]

@@MerleONeal haha, nice pun! 🤣 you’re welcome, hope it helps.

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

5:19 No, you're fine. If you take the top off and deseed first, the pepper just collapses. It's easier to peel and deseed once it's charred.

[@TheJosephKnight]

Could you try making vegan Foie Gras from ChefSteps? As one of the cruelest animal products, it could be an interesting thing to make.

[@MerleONeal]

I've never actually had vegan or even non-vegan Foie Gras so this is definitely intriguing!

[@TheJosephKnight]

@@MerleONeal Same, I think it's illegal here. I don't shink I've ever had pate of any kind.

[@gymnasticgurl1]

In regards to the cleaning my product. A more environmental and financially better option would be to use a 1:1:1 ratio of water, alcohol, and white distilled vinegar. It will clean EVERYTHING. it’s pet and baby safe. Extremely cheap and attainable for everyone. I have used it for YEARS. If you want it to have a specific smell, just put some drops of essential oil in it and your good to go 👌🏽

[@SoSweetAlmostEvil]

I love recipes like this! I always get stuck in a rut with dinner. Thank you for the video!

[@MerleONeal]

You are so welcome! This one is a tricky one but if you let go of trying to make it look perfect, it's really delicious

[@silversiamese]

I’ve never topped and deseeded bell peppers before roasting this way. I am far from a chef, but it’s always turned out just fine. Well before anything shocking occurs small tears will appear and the steam gently oozes out. It’s okay if you forget. ❤️

[@Premanator2000]

Merle you look stunning!!! Amazing video, please do more of these "practical weeknight" recipes ❤

[@MerleONeal]

You got it!!! and thank you

[@michaela879]

Both of the tops you're wearing in this video look super cute! Especially the soft pink one. On a side note, about the washing machine pods etc- they are covered in "plastic"- an organic polymer and it's entirely water soluble, so as far as I know, at least this part of the product is completely safe and non toxic. Buut all of these pods contain a ton of other stuff that is harmful to both humans and planet, so it's still definitely better to use more eco friendly alternatives.

[@studycats123]

Good timing: just grabbed my dinner😊 mashed potatoes and fried zucchini if by any chance someone wants to know😅

[@MerleONeal]

that sounds delicious

[@davidweddle4923]

Hey Merle, you’re my girl. Super happy to see you make this! I’ve made a more traditional ratatouille, but have never made this version. This is inspiring me to maybe make this this summer!

[@MerleONeal]

as long as you've got some extra time hahaha!

[@davidweddle4923]

@@MerleONeali can find the time ☺️

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

9:59 European eggplant is traditional, but I think young eggplant is used most traditional in the Ratatouille.

[@annamacdonald2270]

I used to look forward to pizza Fridays for elementary school lunches, and now I get Merle Wednesdays at work :)

[@MerleONeal]

🥹

[@suzanasimic6761]

New Merle video....immediate watch!Having a horrible morning at work and this video is a god send! ❤

[@MerleONeal]

I hope your day gets better!

[@suzanasimic6761]

@@MerleONeal Thanks!!! You're the greatest!

[@davidvllr]

Babe wake up, Merle posted

[@MerleONeal]

😏

[@justin_g_smith]

I was beyond nervous during the pepper portion. Glad you made it through!

[@MerleONeal]

the fact that i was supposed to have the top cut off the whole time slays me, that thing was a ticking time bomb

[@justin_g_smith]

@@MerleONealoh I believe it!

[@stauffap]

There's a much easier and equally delicious way: Just chop the zucchinis and eggplants into rough bite sized pieces, put them on a baking tray with some olive oil and salt and let them in the oven at 200°C for about 40 Minutes. Then roughly chop the bell pepper and fry them in olive oil on a medium heat until the they brown a bit and start to smell a bit more sweet. Then add the onions to sweat them, later add the tomatoes and the fresh garlic along with thyme and fresh oregano. Season with a bit of sugar, sald and pepper. The key to a good ratatouille is that you roast the eggplant and the zucchini and that you get rid of enough water. Water dillutes all flavours. You never want a puddle of water when you put the ratatouille on a guests plate. You just want a nice, thick sauce. The method you've used won't really improve on the flavour, but is a lot more work. I like to eat this ratatouille on a piece of good, toasted bread. It's delicious, if it's done right. Nothing additional needs to be added to make it delicious. It's the process and the balance of flavours that makes it delicious when it's done right.

[@stephaniebutler81]

GREAT juggling! I've tried so many times, and I just can't do it.

[@MerleONeal]

THANK YOUUUU

[@MerleONeal]

PS you could totally do it, you just have to start with 2 *youtube will teach you

[@stephaniebutler81]

@@MerleONeal I’ve tried! 😂🤣

[@littlepatrinka7941]

That was a JOURNEY!

[@MerleONeal]

TELL ME ABOUT IT

[@Angiesmangie09]

I wish I had a gas stove!! Would love to char my veggies like that

[@TheJosephKnight]

You can get a blow torch or a cheap camping stove thing

[@LindaWeeks-ic6kv]

you can try broiling them too

[@Angiesmangie09]

@@TheJosephKnight I have a torch!! Such a good idea thanks!

[@kassic8504]

you can make a version in a pot, were you add diced veggies in a sertan order, you still chop things but then cookong takes like 30 minuts and everything is still juicey and great

[@KrisRN23935]

I finally made the Honeycomb Tofu you made a video on. It was delicious and easy.

[@MerleONeal]

oh yeahh that's a good one!

[@parismoon2130]

Japanese eggplants are always in stock at Asian supermarkets 😊

[@village_vegan]

Its zucchini season starting! I already collected like 5 of them))) but also there is a heat wave and I dont want to use my wooden stove😅

[@MerleONeal]

Oh i'm so jealous you have access to your own zucchini!!! Some day I'm going to have a yard and do the exact same thing

[@village_vegan]

@@MerleONeal absolutely do it when you can! it's so rewarding! and composting especially😄

[@evasala732]

Fun Fact : you used a grater not a mandolin. Mandolins are much sharper than graters and that's why you got such uneven slices with it

[@karlarondon8647]

Where is the pink wrap top from? It looks so lovely and soft and cozy

[@mikki_s1100]

I found a recipe for vegan fish replacement using a plant that taste like fish! I’d love to see you try it if you can find the fish ingredient

[@sakoourfalian9316]

You should make sarma its grape leaves stuffed with meat rice and spices theres a vegan version without the meat that people make during lent 😊

[@marks.7211]

So it's basically dolma?

[@hippieagathachristie]

This is the ONLY way I'll eat eggplant!! And yes, I'm french.

[@1998tkhri]

I've made it before. I've never found it to not be filling enough to be a full meal and worth the effort. Obviously not authentic, but if we cut circles of tofu about the same size, maybe that would be better.

[@sunny5ma]

Oh we love our reigning vegan queen!! You're too funny Merle hahha😂😂. This was a lot and a very intense recipe indeed but also oddly satisfying to watch it all come together!! Much love to you, Aria and Lucille!! Always so nice to see them featured in your videos! Ciao for now! ❤ Can't wait for the next one! 🎉🎉💖.

[@gretchenkarma]

Your videos always make me smile! 😊

[@village_vegan]

Have you heard cool news that scientists proved every elephant has a name? 💚 Every each of them is a person, they themselves understand that, their family and friends understand that, but not that f..rs that kill them🤬

[@MerleONeal]

I did hear that, elephants are incredible - so intelligent. that fact reminds me of the one that whales have different languages and accents in different parts of the world

[@karlamarx5954]

Yummmm LOVE ME some ratatoullie...love yr top btw..so vintage and cute! 😻🤤🍅🌶️🥕🧅🫑🧄

[@Dwoalin]

What dark alley did you have to go down to get the Japanese eggplant, Merle? 😶 Ratatouille really does seem to exemplify the notion of simple ingredients at their best with great technique. This inspired me to try making it one of these days ❤

[@MerleONeal]

lmao... we dont talk about the eggplant

[@Dwoalin]

@@MerleONeal 📝🧐 Heard lol.

[@wenwenjzx]

Love ur videos even though I'm not vegan. I don't think whole foods or sprouts would ever have japanese eggplant. Local Asian market always have them all year round

[@MerleONeal]

thank you for the tip!

[@theaudiobookaficionado]

😮‍💨 whewww that's such a labor intensive recipe but what a fun thing to create!

[@samia3685]

i would love to see you and Alvin shoot a video 🥹

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

5:02 Culinary School is where people go to learn how to work for a chef at a restaurant and make that restaurant a &^$% ton of money, not to learn how to be culinarily creative, so don't beat yourself up to much about that. Most of the best food in the world came from chefs who never went to culinary school.

[@MerleONeal]

thank u for the support!!

[@jourdanhamme3426]

Love you Merle ❤️ 😍

[@briannewton1612]

Can you please wear the second shirt more often? I love it..

[@minoushka971]

"Bonjour c'est votre go Merle" that's how you can say it in french

[@scienceislove2014]

You need to try making derek sarno's recipes💚🌱

[@elizabethheyn5365]

The peppers wouldn’t have exploded 😂 It may just be easier to deseed then before than after.

[@j9670]

❤️❤️❤️

[@carolina_zafra]

the bell peppers will NOT EXPLODE if you roast them whole!

[@angelgraves9230]

Something about Merle juggling is so hot! Ps, ever try soap nuts?

[@strawberrysoymilkshake]

Plot twist, we saw the outfit last week

[@MerleONeal]

👀

[@umafa1645]

Yumm, damn

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

14:34 Fancy is so overrated. French cuisine is just lots of butter, animal fats, and wasted ingredients.

[@TheSaneHatter]

I can't juggle AT ALL, so don't be ashamed. What I do have, is access to a charcoal grill at my partment's courtyard, so maybe I'll blacken the peppers that way. Until I saw the film, I hadn't had ratatouille since I was a kid, when I thought the name sounded funny. AFTER seeing the film, I was moved to try it again, and even though I had a simpler recipe, it wasn't easy for me, either. Last but not least, if you feel guilty or unsanitayr about adjust the food with your fingers, just wear some latex gloves: problem solved.

[@ratwithahat2]

Sorry, heard of that dish through the WHAT

[@MerleONeal]

DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DONT KNOW

[@gaelley5302]

This is a Tian.

[@JaneDoe-yz6by]

Did you mean Chinese eggplant?

[@MerleONeal]

nope!

[@Stregabobbi]

Btw, If you got a size smaller in that top you’d be even more ❤️‍🔥 (as if that was possible)

[@Mialuvsveggies]

Dare I say, I liked your plating Better than Babish 😃💖

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

11:53 This is why I hate french cuisine. It is so pretentious and fancy and uptight. I would've just halved or quartered the regular eggplant to make it fit.

[@kings98124]

26 seconds wow. First?❤

[@MerleONeal]

So early!

[@lillianv6805]

Another great video and a tasty looking meal! I must say I've had mixed feelings on Babish since he had the Hogwarts game as a sponsor. It's one thing to play the game but another to promote it and profit from it. BUT, also being an online creator is hard and I'm guessing they gave him a pretty penny since not everyone took up their sponsorship offers. Idk I don't think he's a bad guy but I do think it was an icky sponsorship and I've felt a bit conflicted about watching him since.

[@JasonMemeoa]

Ohno you didn't

[@bryan9154]

Is the audio hissing?

[@LindaWeeks-ic6kv]

not for me?

[@LindaWeeks-ic6kv]

i listened back i think its air conditioning or smth

[@sunnygirl5467]

Fun Video!🫡 Regarding the sponsor, am I the only one who sometimes gets kinda demotivated to spend more and go the extra mile every time, whilst I keep seeing most people in real life not givig a single f, buying tons of the cheapest eggs, meat and dairy, using single use plastic bags, not recycling or littering🥲 Of course I always try to do my best and go trough the extra efforts, besides being vegan which is a non-negotiable for me anyways, but I get so frustrated with other people not caring for such important things🥲 love the sposor though, great effort to reduce packaging and microplastic😊