Ratatouille Protein Style (2 versions)

PRETTY VERSION:

SAUCE:
2 red bell peppers
1 yellow onion
4 tomatoes seeded
4 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp marjoram, thyme, basil
1 bay leaf

Boil until looks like a nice sauce.

FIXINS'
1 lb lean ground beef cooked (optional)
4+ zucchini
4+ yellow squash
Japanese eggplant (1 large eggplant)
4+ roma/plum tomatoes seeded

Slice all veggies 1/4" thick or as desired.  Place cooked ground beef as a layer on bottom of dish.  Pour sauce over top.  Arrange by alternating veggies UPRIGHT. Cover with parchment paper.  Bake 350 until tender. 

BIG POT VERSION:
*** to keep each individual veggies flavor, you can cook them separately then mix together before serving.

1 yellow onion sliced
4 garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 large eggplant 1/2" pieces
4 zucchini cut in half and then in 1/2" pieces
4 yellow squash cut the same
1 red, yellow, orange bell peppers cut into chunks
4 plum tomatoes BIG chunks
1/2 tsp marjoram, thyme
1 lb lean beef cooked (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. fresh basil
1/2 tsp. pepper

In a large pot add 3 TBSP olive oil, onion, garlic, bay leaf and eggplant.  Cook 8 min.  Add zucchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes, marjoram and thyme.  Cook another 7 min or until tender.  Stir in salt, basil and pepper.

***LEFTOVERS CAN BE USED AS A PIZZA TOPPING***