Ooh, get ready for a flavor sensation, my dears! This dish is a true chameleon, with flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy. It's vegan, versatile, and won't break the bank! It's called rougaille, or rougail, and it's a sauteed tomato-based dish straight from the Creole cuisine of Mauritius. The beauty of this dish is that you can throw in any veggie or protein you fancy, whether it's fish, meat, or plant-based options. It's perfect when you're watching your pennies, as it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Get your taste buds ready for a treat, love!
Time: 40 minutes | Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves (crushed or grated)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
Ginger (thumb size finely chopped) or 1 tablespoon of crushed ginger in a jar
1 tablespoon cumin
2x eggplants (diced) - also known as aubergines or brinjals
180g plant-based veal
2x 400g tinned crushed tomatoes
1 bunch of fresh parsley
1 bunch of fresh coriander - also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley
1 chili (finely chopped) - optional
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1cup rice (we used Basmati rice which best suites this dish)
HOW TO MAKE IT
The Rougaille:
1. Heat up the oil on medium heat and let the onions sizzle for a minute. Then, add the garlic, ginger, and cumin and let them sing for 2 minutes.
2. Toss in the eggplant and plant-based veal, stir like crazy, and let the party continue on high heat for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, mix it up like a DJ, and let it all simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, don't forget to cook up that rice, lovelies!
4. Season with salt, pepper, chili flakes (if you're feeling feisty), parsley, and coriander. Give it all a good stir, cover the pot, and let it simmer away for 20 minutes on medium to high heat. Don't forget to stir it up now and then!
The Rice:
1. Give your cup of rice a good rinse, like a spa treatment for rice grains.
2. Add 2 cups of water, pop that rice in a microwave-safe bowl, and cook it in the microwave for 22 minutes at 600 watts.
Voila! Your rice is ready, steamy and delicious, just like you!
~ Serve up your Rougaille (or rougail) on top of a bed of rice and get ready for a taste explosion in your mouth!
Bon appétit bébé!
WHAT IS ROUGAILLE?
Ladies and gents and all in between, let's talk about rougaille, the traditional dish that makes the island of Mauritius famous for more than just its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. This dish is so good, it'll make you forget all about your troubles and transport you straight to flavor town!
First things first, rougaille is not just any old tomato-based stew. No, no, no. It's a spicy and flavorful masterpiece that's made with a combination of aromatic spices and herbs that will make your taste buds tingle with excitement. We're talking tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, thyme, cloves, chili peppers, and whatever else the chef feels like throwing in there to make it extra special.
And let's not forget about the main attraction - the meat, fish, or a plant-based wonder! You can choose from chicken, beef, pork, tuna, mackerel, vegan varieties, or any other delicious protein you desire. And to make it even better, they throw in some veggies like bell peppers and eggplants to make sure you're getting your daily dose of nutrients.
Now, this dish is not for the faint of heart. It's a little spicy, it's bold, and it's not messing around. But trust me, it's worth it. Plus, the heat might just make you forget about all your problems for a little while.
And when it's time to serve up this beauty, you have a few options. You can pair it with rice, roti, or bread, and let me tell you, there's no wrong choice here. It's all about personal preference, baby!
So, there you have it - rougaille, the comfort food of Mauritius and Réunion. It's a dish that's packed with flavor and cultural influences, and it's sure to leave you feeling satisfied and happy. So, come on down to flavor town and give rougaille a try!
BENEFITS OF THIS MEAL
Alright, buckle up folks because we're about to dive into the health benefits of Mauritian Rougaille Eggplant & Vegan Veal (tomato-based stew). Not only is it a mouthful to say, but it's also a mouthful of deliciousness that's good for you! Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
Antioxidant-packed: This dish is chock-full of eggplant, which is a great source of antioxidants like vitamin C and A. These antioxidants help fight off pesky free radicals that can damage your cells and increase your risk of chronic diseases. Take that, free radicals!
Protein powerhouse: Who says you need meat for protein? This dish features vegan veal, a plant-based protein source that helps maintain and repair body tissues and build muscle. So, you can satisfy your hunger and your muscles at the same time.
Low-fat: Unlike that greasy burger you had last night, this dish is low in fat, which is great for your heart health and waistline. So, go ahead and indulge guilt-free!
Fiber-rich: With eggplant and a tomato-based sauce, this dish is a fiber powerhouse. Fiber is important for maintaining healthy digestion. So, go ahead and treat your gut to some fiber-rich goodness.
Essential vitamins and minerals: Tomatoes are a key ingredient in the sauce, and they're packed with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. These nutrients help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. So, you can feel good about getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals with this dish.
Vegan-friendly: For all you vegans out there, this dish is vegan-friendly, so you can enjoy a delicious meal that aligns with your values. It's also a great option for anyone looking to reduce their consumption of animal products.
Satisfying and flavorful: This dish is not only good for you but also delicious! The combination of eggplant, vegan veal, and tomato-based sauce creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
So, go ahead and enjoy a healthy and tasty meal that's good for you and your taste buds!
A FICTIONAL STORY BY THE CHEF!
Tomatomania: Tomato King's Vegan Rougaille Adventure!
Once upon a time on the beautiful and exotic island of Mauritius, there lived a man named Pierre who had an insatiable obsession with tomatoes. Pierre loved tomatoes so much that he even dreamt about them at night, and his friends often joked that he had tomato juice running through his veins.
One day, Pierre decided to create a dish that would pay homage to his beloved tomatoes, and thus, the legend of Rougaille was born. He gathered all the ingredients he loved: olive oil, tomatoes, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, chili, salt, and pepper, and he started experimenting in his tiny kitchen.
Pierre chopped, diced, and sautéed, his excitement growing with each sizzle of the pan. He added tomatoes in every form imaginable - fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and even tomato puree. The aroma that wafted from his kitchen was heavenly, and his neighbors could smell it from miles away.
But Pierre's creativity didn't stop there. One day, he decided to add eggplant and vegan veal to his Rougaille, hoping to make it more enticing for his vegan friends. He diced the eggplant into small cubes and seared the vegan veal to perfection, adding them to his simmering pot of Rougaille with a mischievous grin on his face.
As he took the first bite of his creation, Pierre's taste buds exploded with joy. The flavors danced in his mouth, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter. He had done it - he had created the most outrageously delicious dish known to man - Rougaille with Eggplant & Vegan Veal!
Pierre's Rougaille quickly gained fame in Mauritius. Tourists from all over the world came to taste the dish that Pierre had crafted with so much love and passion. His tiny kitchen turned into a bustling restaurant, and he became a local celebrity. People would often catch him dancing around his kitchen, tossing tomatoes in the air with a big grin on his face.
Pierre's Rougaille with Eggplant & Vegan Veal became a hit with vegans around the globe, and it even caught the attention of famous vegan chefs from other countries. They tried to replicate Pierre's recipe, but they could never quite capture the magic that Pierre had created with his crazy tomato obsession.
Legend has it that Pierre's Rougaille became so famous that tomatoes from all over the world would pilgrimage to Mauritius just to be a part of his dish. The tomatoes would line up outside Pierre's restaurant, waiting to be lovingly diced and added to his Rougaille. The sight of tomatoes queuing up became a popular tourist attraction, and people would come from far and wide just to witness the phenomenon.
And so, the tale of Pierre and his Rougaille with Eggplant & Vegan Veal spread far and wide, becoming a legend in the culinary world. Pierre continued to dance around his kitchen, concocting new tomato-inspired dishes and bringing joy to the hearts and taste buds of all who tasted his creations. His love for tomatoes knew no bounds, and he became a living legend in the tomato-loving community, forever known as "Pierre, the Tomato King of Mauritius." And they all lived deliciously ever after.
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