Duck, Lamb And Andouille Cassoulet
From champagnetime 11 years agoIngredients
- 1 lb dried large white beans, such as cannellini or baby limas shopping list
- 1 duck, such as Muscovy or Pekin, about 4 pounds (I used 4 duck breasts + 2 duck leg/thigh sections) shopping list
- 1 lb boneless leg of lamb, cut into 2-inch cubes (ask the butcher to do this) shopping list
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt shopping list
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper shopping list
- 8 oz garlic sausages, cut into 2-inch chunks shopping list
- 8 oz smoked sausages, such as Andouille, cut into 2-inch chunks shopping list
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped shopping list
- 2 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch slices shopping list
- 4 garlic cloves, minced shopping list
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade) shopping list
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg shopping list
- pinch ground cloves shopping list
- 1/2 cup dry white wine shopping list
- 1 quart (4 cups) homemade chicken stock or good-quality low-sodium beef broth (or see my note above) shopping list
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained shopping list
- 2/3 cup bread crumbs shopping list
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley shopping list
How to make it
- The day before you intend to serve the cassoulet, pick over the beans and cast aside any stones or grit or other curious objects. Rinse the beans in a colander and drain well. Dump the beans in a bowl and add enough water to cover by at least 3 inches. Let soak overnight.
- The day you intend to serve the cassoulet, cut the duck into 8 pieces and trim off all visible fat and excess skin, reserving both the duck pieces and the excess duck fat and skin.
- Cook the duck fat and skin in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until between 1/4 and 1/3 cup fat has rendered and is shimmering, golden and beautiful, maybe 4 minutes or so. Remove and discard the solid pieces of fat and skin. Season the duck pieces and the lamb with the salt and pepper.
- Add the duck pieces to the skillet and sear them in the hot fat, turning to brown both sides. Transfer them to a plate. Repeat with the lamb pieces and then the sausage pieces.
- Add the onion and celery to the fat in the skillet and sauté until lightly browned. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, and cloves and sauté until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the stock or broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
- Drain the beans. Layer the beans and meats, beginning and ending with the beans and alternating with the meat (4 layers of beans, 3 of meat), in a 6-quart slow cooker with an ovenproof insert. (Check the manufacturer’s instructions.)
- Pour the hot liquid over the layers of beans and meat. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 8 to 10 hours on low. (We found that 9 hours did the trick perfectly.)
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix the bread crumbs and parsley in a small bowl and scatter over the top of the cassoulet. Remove the insert from the slow cooker, place it on a baking sheet, and bake until the top is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes.
- Serve the cassoulet immediately. (You can cover and refrigerate the cassoulet for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or on the stovetop over low heat.) DON'T SERVE SAME DAY - ALLOW TO MELD FLAVORS OVERNIGHT.
- Source: a Chef's Journey take on a recipe from Leite's Culinarian newsletter.
People Who Like This Dish 2
- clbacon Birmingham, AL
- kristopher San Francisco, CA
- champagnetime Straits Of Juan De Fuca, WA
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