Healthy Baked Potato with Ratatouille

Ingredients

Potatoes:

1 cup kosher salt


4 large russet potatoes

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt


3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1/4 cup shaved or freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Ratatouille:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large shallots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 small eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces


1/2 cup diced (1/2-inch) red and/or yellow bell peppers (preferably a combination)


1/4 cup dry red wine


3 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Directions

PREP TIME
25
MINS
COOKING TIME
45
MINS
Serves
4
Make-Ahead:

The ratatouille can be made up to 1 day ahead, cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Rewarm the ratatouille, covered, over medium heat, stirring often.

To bake the potatoes:

 Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Spread the salt in a thin layer on a small, rimmed baking sheet. Pierce the potatoes with a fork, then nestle them in the salt and sprinkle a small amount of the salt over them. Bake the potatoes for about 45 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a small sharp knife. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes (discard the salt). Wipe off any excess salt on the outside of the potatoes.

Meanwhile, to make the ratatouille:

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes, or until tender. Add the eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the eggplant is softened. Add the wine and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down into a coarse sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the basil and remove from the heat.

To serve:

Cut each potato one at a time, lengthwise and then crosswise in half, almost but not quite all the way through, and squeeze the ends to open it up. Divide the ratatouille among the potatoes.

Transfer the potatoes to a plate, then top with the yogurt, chives, and Parmesan cheese, and serve hot.