Pot-au-feu, pronounced in French as /paw-toe-fuh/ and literally translating to “pot over fire”, is a peasant’s feast of root vegetables and cheap cuts of meats served with country bread and mustard.

Somewhere along the lines, the culinary world eschewed boiled meats and vegetables as “bland” and “boring”–favoring, instead, techniques like searing, blanching, and sautéing. This could not be further from the truth. The basic method of boiling can transform carrots, cabbages and turnips into exquisite vegetables that melt in your mouth–and tough cuts of meat, like brisket or shanks, into tender and succulent wonders.

Pot-au-feu, pronounced in French as /paw-toe-fuh/ and literally translating to “pot over fire”, is a peasant’s feast of root vegetables and cheap cuts of meats served with country bread and mustard. The only real luxury needed here is time, as it would take at least two hours for the meat to truly soften (four hours would be best). You’ll want to add the vegetables in at the last hour so that they don’t completely disintegrate.

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You can use any type of meat that does well with long cooking times, like brisket, short ribs, rump roast, shoulder cuts, etc. I find that on the vegetable side, root vegetables are hardy enough to stand up to the heat. If you don’t eat meat, I think it’s still worth trying with your favorite veggies. Make sure that you have a very large pot or Dutch oven that can easily house all of these ingredients. It’s nice to vary the meats, vegetables and herbs each time, but here’s a basic recipe for you to use as a guideline–feel free to adjust based on what’s available. For serving, I like to sometimes remove the meat and vegetables and arrange them on a large wooden cutting board, carving them into decent-sized portions, and then serving the prized broth in small bowls for sipping on the side.

Step by Step Guide to Making Pot au Feu – French Peasant Soup

1. Prepare the Bouquet Garni:

   • Wrap the garlic, bay leaves, parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, cloves, and black peppercorns in cheesecloth.
   • Securely tie the cheesecloth using kitchen twine to create your bouquet garni.

2. ---

   Begin the Soup:

   • In a large stockpot, place the bouquet garni, brisket, oxtail, short ribs, shank, marrow bones, onions, carrots, and celery.
   • Cover the ingredients with water.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil. As it boils, skim and discard any scum that rises to the surface.
   • Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours. Check occasionally to ensure the meat becomes tender. Adjust the cooking time based on your tenderness preference.

3. ---

   Add Remaining Ingredients:

   • Incorporate the kielbasa sausages, cabbage, and baby potatoes into the pot.
   • Continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour until the vegetables are tender but still hold their shape.

4. ---

   Serving:

   • Carefully transfer the meats and vegetables onto a separate tray or platter. You can cut them into smaller portions or serve them whole.
   • Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
   • Ladle the broth into serving bowls.
   • Serve alongside warmed country bread, room temperature salted butter, and either strong mustard or a creamy horseradish mixture.