Food Network: Cassoulet

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Cassoulet
Recipe Courtesy Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients
Bean Mixture:
2 quarts chicken broth
2 quarts water
2 pounds (4 cups) dried white beans, picked over, soaked in water to cover by 2
inches overnight, and drained
1 (1/2-pound) piece salt pork, simmered in water to cover for 15 minutes and
drained
1 pound smoked pork sausage, such as kielbasa, in 1-inch pieces
3 onions, halved lengthwise
3 garlic cloves, crushed lightly and left whole
1 teaspoon crumbled dried thyme

1 bouquet garni composed of 4 parsley sprigs, 3 celery tops, the white and pale
green part of 1 leek, and 2 bay leaves, tied in a cheesecloth bag

5 slices lean bacon, chopped fine
1 pound boneless pork loin, in 1-inch pieces
1 pound boneless lamb shoulder, in 1-inch pieces
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 cup dry white wine
1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes, drained, (reserve 1/2 cup juice) and chopped
1 (4-pound) duck, cut into 8 pieces
About 3 cups fine dry bread crumbs

Directions
Make the bean mixture: In a large heavy kettle
combine the broth and the water and bring the liquid to a boil. Stir in the
beans, the salt pork, and the sausage and bring the liquid to a boil, skimming the
froth. Stir in the onions, the garlic, the thyme, the bouquet garni, and pepper
to taste and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until the
beans are tender. Discard the salt pork, the onions, and the bouquet garni,
strain the mixture through a colander set over a large bowl, and in separate bowls
reserve the bean mixture and the broth. The bean mixture and the broth may be
made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.

In a large skillet cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until it is crisp
and transfer it with tongs to paper towels to drain. In the fat remaining in the
skillet brown the pork and the lamb over moderately high heat, turning the pieces

once, for 8 minutes and transfer the meat with a slotted spoon to a large
casserole. In the fat remaining in the skillet cook the onion, the celery, and
the garlic with salt and pepper to taste over moderately low heat, stirring
occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the wine and boil the
mixture until the liquid is reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes with the
reserved juice and the bacon and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5
minutes. Transfer the mixture to the casserole and braise it, covered, in a
preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour.

Arrange the duck pieces, skin sides down, on a rack in a roasting pan and broil
them under a preheated broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 10 minutes. Turn
the duck pieces and broil them for 10 minutes more, or until the juices run clear
and the meat is cooked through. Transfer the duck with tongs to a cutting board
and reserve 1/4 cup of duck fat.

In a 6-quart casserole layer 1/3 of the reserved bean mixture, 1/2 the braised
meat mixture, 4 pieces of duck, 1/2 remaining bean mixture, the remaining braised
meat mixture, the remaining duck pieces, and the remaining bean mixture. Pour 6
cups of the reserved broth, skimmed of any fat, slowly over the mixture, sprinkle
the top with 2 cups of the bread crumbs, and drizzle it with 2 tablespoons of the
reserved duck fat. Bake the cassoulet, uncovered, in the middle of a 325 degree
preheated oven for 30 minutes. Press the crumb layer lightly into the cassoulet,
top it with the remaining 1 cup crumbs, and drizzle the top with the remaining 2
tablespoons duck fat. Bake the cassoulet for 1 3/4 hours more, until the crust is
golden brown.