Sataraš, Serbian Ratatouille

Sataraš, or Bećar paprikaš, is an ultimate summer dish. Some people have it for breakfast, some as a side dish, but I like it on a toasted bread with some nice cheese on the top. Sataraš soaks the bread with its juice and that's just beautiful.

Similar to making Ratatouille, you cook vegetables trying to keep it firm. I like to put peppers in different colors just to have nicer food presentation.

You can stir in one egg at the end of cooking to make Sataraš thicker and richer.

You need:

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 4 scallions
• 1 medium red onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 red pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 green pepper
• 3 medium tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Chop all ingredients as you like.
2. Heat the olive oil in the pan.
3. Add onions and cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add peppers and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.
5. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until done.
6. Season the dish.
7. If you like, stir in one egg.

I wish I had my own garden to pick up fresh vegetables and make Sataraš, just as my family used to do when I was a kid. One day I’ll have it for sure. It is going to be just like my parents' garden. Below is a picture of it that I took last year when I visited my family in Serbia.