20 mins
Cassoulet
Recipe by Graham
Cassoulet is a rich, slow-cooked bean stew or casserole of peasant origins from the south of France. Typically, it contains pork sausages, pork loin, duck or goose (and often mutton) and white haricot beans.
I prefer using cannellini beans to haricot because a good Cassoulet is defined by the tenderness of the beans (and, as a bonus, cannellini beans have been shown to lower total cholesterol levels and lipoprotein cholesterol, not to mention inhibiting cancer cell growth). There are several varieties of navy bean and the cannellini is a popular variety, so you should have no difficulty getting hold of them.
Carrots with Pine Nuts and Chickpeas 
Cauliflower Cheese Ingredients for Cassoulet
Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements
How to Cook Cassoulet
- In Preparation... Cut the duck legs at the joint between the leg and the thigh. Remove the meat from the leg and set aside (leave the thighs intact). Trim any excess fat off the lamb (or pork) and chop into ¾" (2cm) cubes. Peel and chop the onions. Peel and crush (mince) the garlic. Finely chop the celery. Peel and deseed the tomatoes then roughly chop them (If you prefer, you can use tinned tomatoes with the juice drained off).
- Heat the duck fat in large frying pan (skillet) and quickly cook the duck thighs until brown. Remove and set aside. Cook the lamb (or pork) until brown. Remove and set aside. Cook the sausages until brown. Remove and set aside. This should be done in very hot fat, just to brown the meat, not to cook it. Don't be tempted to try and add all the meat at once. It will take twice as long to brown and will cook the meat instead of just browning it.
- Turn down the heat, add the chopped onions to the remaining fat in pan and cook slowly until translucent. Add the crushed garlic and the chopped celery, stir for 1 minute then remove.
- Pour away any surplus fat then sprinkle flour over the base of the pan. Add the peeled and chopped tomatoes, the tomato purée (tomato paste) and the wine; stir until the sauce boils and thickens. Add thyme, bay leaves, cloves, salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Place ALL the ingredients (that includes the cannellini beans) into a casserole dish then add enough water to just cover the beans (If you have used tinned tomatoes, you can add the tomato juice instead). Cover and cook gently (simmer) until the beans are tender (about 1 to 1½ hours). After 45 minutes check to see if it needs more water, and add some if necessary. Serve hot and be aware that you may want your own bedroom afterwards! I’m just saying!
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
When your Cassoulet is done, season with salt, paprika and cayenne pepper to taste. Just stir it in and taste it: you'll love it.
A Grenache like Chateauneuf du Pape. Deep, full-bodied and a perfect partner to game and cassoulet.Reviews of Cassoulet
| February 19 2015 Nice cold weather food, but definitely not a weekday-friendly dish. It's more appropriate for a Sunday dinner. The beans were silky and the dish was flavorful. I enjoy cooking and I love to eat a nicely prepared meal. I'm making this one again!. Oh, and by the way, the longer it sits the better it gets. tatsu (6 reviews) |
 October 26 2014Having spent some time in France, I've had some really yummy cassoulet. Though there are more complex recipes than this one for cassoulet, I love the simplicity and flavor of this version! I searched the web for a cassoulet recipe I could make and decided on this one and it did not disappoint! We both (husband and I) like it better than any we have had out. spainho (6 reviews) |
July 03 2014 I used Gresham duck and garlic sausage and the taste was wonderful (though maybe not as intended using Toulouse sausages). Anyway, my family were duly impressed and want it again soon. AuntSal (4 reviews) |
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| March 09 2014 I had this a long time ago in a restaurant in France, and I was really happy to find a recipe for it here. So I made it and it was EXACTLY like I remember it. Really delicious and tasting like the long ago holiday I loved so much. This one is a keeper. bedlynn (7 reviews) |
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