Parmesan, Leek and Smoky Sausage Cassoulet

Settle in to make this rich, comforting Parmesan, Leek and Smoky Sausage Cassoulet paired with French Languedoc wine.

The thing we all know about slow food is that it’s very aptly named. Yes, it will take the better part of a day (or even a couple days, in some instances) to yield the final edible result. Of course the food will be unparalleled by just about anything that comes out of the kitchen in 30 minutes, but what escapes some of us is that it’s the process of cooking itself that holds almost as much joy as actually sitting down to a home-cooked hot meal with friends and family.

I find cooking to be therapeutic. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables, the smell of sautéing aromatics like garlic and onion, the sizzle of sausage as it hits a hot skillet. Watching a countertop of ingredients transform from being individual components to being melded into a dish that’s greater than the sum of its parts is almost magical. Yes, slow food takes a while, but it’s worth every minute invested.

If you’re not familiar with Cassoulet, it’s a rich and rustic meat and bean stew hailing from the Languedoc region of southern France. Different areas of this region make it a little differently, and because Cassoulet was traditionally a peasant dish, it was a great means of using up what was on hand.

My version of Cassoulet is classic in the sense that it includes the traditional bean (Tarbais), as well as duck confit, pork (in the form of bacon, but you could substitute beef, duck, or turkey bacon if you don’t eat pork), and plenty of garlic, but it’s a little bit different too. I melt leeks down into rendered bacon fat (duck fat or clarified butter can be used instead), add a rind of Parmesan cheese for a slight nuttiness, and finish the stew off with a splash of red wine vinegar to wake it up. Oh, and I also use a few more veggies than what is traditionally called for, just because I usually take any opportunity I can get to up my veggie intake.

Another delicacy that the Languedoc region of France is known for is its wine, particularly red wine, which is commonly paired with Cassoulet. Languedoc reds are typically blends of grapes like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan, and the region’s diversity and its many appellations means that there is something to please every palate. And at around $15 a bottle, these wines are very affordably priced. I paired this Cassoulet with a lovely La Tour Boisée Fréderique et Marielle AOC Minervois 2015.

What’s your favorite slow food meal?

Parmesan, Leek and Smoky Sausage Cassoulet

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• Author: Faith Gorsky
• Total Time: 200 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6
• Diet: Omnivore

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Description

Hearty and flavorful, this cassoulet is perfect for a chilly evening. Slow-cooked beans, smoky sausage, and Parmesan create a rich and satisfying dish.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lbs (454 g) D’Artagnan Tarbais Beans
• 7 cups (1.7 L) chicken stock
• 1/4 lb D’Artagnan Hickory Smoked Bacon
• 1 lbs (241 g) D’Artagnan Duck and Armagnac Sausage
• 1 lbs (450 g) leeks
• 4 large carrots
• 2 large stalks celery
• 2 medium yellow onions
• 10 large cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 2-inch piece Parmesan cheese rind
• 4 D’Artagnan Duck Confit Legs
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Fresh-grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Add the beans to a large bowl, cover by 3 inches with cool water, soak overnight, and then drain.
3. Add the beans and chicken stock to a 5-quart pot; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, and cook (covered) until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, preheat a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Once hot, add the bacon and cook until crisped, about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer the bacon to a plate using a slotted spoon.
6. Add the sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the sausage to the plate with the bacon.
7. Add the leeks to the same skillet and cook until starting to soften, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Add the carrot, celery, onion, and garlic, and cook 3 minutes more, stirring frequently.
9. Stir the sautéed vegetable mixture into the beans along with the browned bacon and sausage, thyme, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, cloves, and cheese rind.
10. Nestle the duck legs down into the beans.
11. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Cook (covered) for 2 hours, then cook (uncovered) for 1 hour.
12. Stir in the vinegar and serve with fresh-grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• For deeper flavor, lightly toast the leeks and other vegetables in the skillet before adding them to the beans.
• If you don’t have duck confit legs, substitute with bone-in chicken thighs or another hearty meat.
• This cassoulet tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 180 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 800
• Fat: 30
• Saturated Fat: 10
• Unsaturated Fat: 15
• Carbohydrates: 50
• Fiber: 10
• Protein: 30
• Cholesterol: 150

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