Cassoulet Castelnaudary Recipe

Cassoulet Castelnaudary is a classic French dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home. Made with white beans, pork sausage, duck confit, and bacon, it’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your guests. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried white beans (preferably tarbais)
• 1 pound pork sausage (preferably Toulouse sausage)
• 4 duck legs confit
• 8 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaves, parsley tied together with kitchen string)
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak the white beans in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse.
2. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, brown the sausage over medium heat, until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Add the duck legs to the pot, and brown them in the fat that has rendered from the sausage. Remove and set aside.
4. Add the bacon to the pot and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside.
5. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
7. Return the sausage, duck legs, and bacon to the pot. Add the chicken stock, white beans, bouquet garni, salt, and pepper.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
10. In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and olive oil.
11. Pour the cassoulet into a large baking dish. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top.
12. Bake the cassoulet for 30-40 minutes, until the bread crumbs are golden brown and the cassoulet is hot and bubbly.
13. Serve hot, with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

Verdict:

Cassoulet Castelnaudary is a delicious and filling dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner with family and friends. The combination of white beans, pork sausage, duck confit, and bacon creates a depth of flavor that is hard to resist. This recipe is a true classic, and will be a hit with anyone who loves hearty, French cuisine.