Fried Basil Ratatouille

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Vietnamese dish of Fried Wild Rat with Basil is transformed into a Latin American Chinese-inspired Ratatouille. The original dish is typically prepared with Vietnamese spices and flavors, while the adapted version incorporates Latin American Chinese spices and techniques. Additionally, the original dish may use different vegetables and cooking methods, whereas the adapted version includes Latin American Chinese vegetables and stir-frying techniques. We alse have the original recipe for Fried Wild Rat with Basil, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) rat meat, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) rat meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 eggplant, sliced 1 eggplant, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce 1 tablespoon chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 6g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the rat meat to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pan, add the bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, onion, and garlic. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
5. 5.
   Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the pan and stir to coat evenly.
6. 6.
   Add the cooked rat meat back to the pan and stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until everything is heated through.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
8. 8.
   Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rat meat — Ensure that the rat meat is fresh and properly cleaned before cooking. If rat meat is not available or preferred, you can substitute it with chicken or pork.
• Bell peppers — Use a mix of red and green bell peppers for a vibrant and colorful dish.
• Basil — Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor. Add them at the end to preserve their aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add sliced chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce.
• Serve the Fried Basil Ratatouille with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as mushrooms or broccoli, to customize the dish to your liking.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. Add more soy sauce for saltiness or more chili sauce for spiciness.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Fried Basil Ratatouille hot as a main dish, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an added burst of flavor and aroma.

Presentation advice

Arrange the colorful stir-fried vegetables and rat meat on a serving platter, with the fresh basil leaves sprinkled on top. The vibrant colors and aromatic basil will make the dish visually appealing.