As we drift into the cooler months, our thoughts turn to soups, stews … hearty one-pot meals that simmer all day and fill the house with the aroma of something decidedly good. This week’s #SundaySupper is dedicated to those recipes, and Amy over at Kimchi Mom is hosting. I had a hankering for this fabulous French cassoulet, so that’s what we’re making today.
Cassoulet is a traditional French peasant dish of beans, meat, and herbs that originated in France’s Languedoc region some time in the 14th century. In his Histoire comique (free Kindle edition), Anatole France claimed that his favorite cassoulet had been cooking for 20 years, putting it in the pot-au-feu category, a dish simmering on the stove top through decades with daily subtractions and replenishments. (The Oxford Companion to Food, 1999.) Fortunately we only need about 3 hours here.
The word cassoulet is derived from the glazed earthenware vessel (cassole) in which it cooks. While the haricot blancs (white beans) remain a constant, the meats can range from pork and mutton to duck confit and partridge. The version we’re cooking today is made with chicken and Polish sausage. Oh, and a little bacon is thrown in for good measure. This recipe is adapted from my old favorite, McCall’s Cooking School.
I have to say, this is a pretty sturdy and forgiving dish as well. In the middle of cooking, I had to run to the vet to pick up kitty. This should have taken 30 minutes, tops, so I dashed off after first popping this in the oven. Two hours later, which included a full 40 minutes of looking for parking, I returned. I was so worked up over the parking, it wasn’t until I was on my way back that I remembered my cassoulet! Sacrebleu! All the broth had evaporated, but since I hadn’t added the chicken yet, I poured in some more broth, and we were back in business. Phew!
First, you’ll need to soak the beans for 2 hours, then drain. Then add them to large, oven-proof pot, along with the water, one of the carrots, all the onions, the celery leaves, the herbs, garlic, peppercorns and the Better than Bouillon. Bring this to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for an hour.
In a large skillet, saute the bacon until it starts to crisp. Save the bacon grease, and put the bacon along with the remaining carrots into the bean pot, then transfer to a 350F oven for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, start browning the chicken in the bacon grease, and continue until browned on all sides. This will take about 30 minutes.
Crush the tomatoes with your hands, and stir into the pot along with their juice. Add the chicken pieces, then place the sausage on top. Cover this and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the lid, then bake an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
Cassoulet is one of the most satisfying meals. Ever. Enjoy this with a tossed salad, some French bread, and a glass of wine!
- 1 lb Great Northern white beans
- 4 cups water
- 5 carrots
- 6 medium onions
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 tbsp Better than Bouillon (Chicken)*
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup coarsely chopped celery leaves
- 5 whole black peppercorns
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1½ tsp dried marjoram leaves
- 1½ tsp dried sage leaves
- 3-4 slices thick bacon
- 4 lb roasting chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 (1 lb) can peeled tomatoes, undrained
- 1 lb Polska Kielbasa
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- In a large bowl, cover beans with water and let soak for 2 hours. Drain, then transfer to a large oven-safe pot or dutch oven, and add 4 cups of water.
- Pare and cut the carrots into large chunks. Add one carrot to the pot at this time.
- Peel the onions, studding 1 of the onions with the cloves. Add the onions to the pot along with the Better than Bouillon, bay leaves, celery leaves, peppercorns, garlic, and dried herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cut the bacon into pieces, and saute the bacon in a large skillet until it just starts to crisp up. Remove from pan and set aside, reserving the bacon grease. Add the bacon and remaining carrots to the bean pot, and transfer to the oven, baking uncovered for 30 minutes.
- While the pot is baking, brown the chicken pieces in the bacon grease, browning well on all sides.
- Remove the pot from the oven, and add the undrained tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you add them. Add the browned chicken to the pot. Score the sausage, and place that on top of everything. Cover tightly, and bake 45 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Let’s see what the others have cooked up for us!
“Take the chill off†Chilis, Soups, and Starters
- Spicy Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Eggplant Parmesan Soup by The Texan New Yorker
- Cream of Tomato and Tortellini Soup by Noshing With The Nolands
- Chicken Tortilla Soup by What Smells So Good?
- Chicken Corn Chowder by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Spinach and Mushroom Tortellini Soup by Neighborfood
- Lasagna Soup by The ROXX Box
- Beefy Skillet Nacho Bake by The Weekend Gourmet
- German Onion Soup by Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- White Bean and Spinach Soup by Ruffles & Truffles
- Korean Oxtail Soup (Kkori Gomtang)Â by kimchi MOM
- Fall Squash Chili by Pescetarian Journal
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili by Alida’s Kitchen
“Put meat on your bones†Stews
- Brew Stewed Beef by The Foodie Army Wife
- Dr. Pepper Shredded Chicken (slow cooker)Â by girlichef
- Pepper Beef Stew by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Slow Cooked Beef Stew with Red Wine, Carrots and Tomatoes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fabulous French Cassoulet by Webicurean
- Slowcooker Coq Au Vin by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Claypot Braised Tofu by My Trials in the Kitchen
- Moroccan Lentil Ragout with Poached Eggs by The Wimpy Vegetarian
“Make room for seconds†Main Dishes
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork by Shockingly Delicious
- Chicken and Dumplings by Hip Foodie Mom
- Spicy Tomato Pasta by Supper for a Steal
- Spicy Coconut Chicken Casserole by The Urban Mrs.
- Carnitas with Queso Fresco Enchiladas by Casa de Crews
- Slow Cooker Garlic and Herb Pork Chops and Veggies by Cookin’ Mimi
- Jambalaya by Country Girl in the Village
- Easy Oven Sweet & Sour Chicken by Momma’s Meals
- Asian Chicken Rice Pot by a distinguished palate
- Quick One Pot Red Beans and Rice by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sweet & Sour Vegetarian Stir Fry by Foxes Love Lemons
- One-Pot Lentil Chicken by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Beef and Quince Tajine by MarocMama
- Slow-Cooked Italian Beef Sandwiches by Juanita’s Cocina
- Sunday Supper Pork and Chorizo by Family Foodie
- Mediterranean Chicken Bake by The Dinner-Mom
- Easy Chorizo, Corn and Potatoes by Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Crockpot Roasted Corn, Tomato and Broccoli Risotto by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Quick ‘n Easy Asian-Style Quinoa by NinjaBaking.com
- Pan-fried Chicken with Bacon and Asparagus by Food Lust People Love
- Vegetarian Chipotle Tamale Pie by Curious Cuisiniere
- Turkey Sausage and Noodle Pesto by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- One Pot Coconut Rice Shrimp Pilaf by Sue’s Nutrition Buzzz
- One Pot Spicy Pasta by Mess Makes Food
“Can’t say no†Desserts
- Vegan Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Busy-Day S’mores Cake by Treats & Trinkets
- Mascarpone Pumpkin Cheesecake in the Microwave by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Spice Apple Crisp by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Flourless Almond Butter Cookies by Pies and Plots
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
This sounds so comforting and delicious! Great recipe Anne.
Such an elegant on-pot entree! Perfect for a Sunday Supper!
What a fantastically hearty dish!
This looks beautiful AND delicious! I can’t wait to make it.
Oh I absolutely LOVE cassoulet. We made this when I was in school before I went mostly vegetarian, and I just loved it. Now I’m trying to create a vegetarian version, but nothing really matches up to the wonderfulness of this dish 🙂
Oh my gosh! What a dish! It’s just gorgeous!!! My Husband would devour it!!
This dish is just beautiful! My daughter would love this. I will have to try this next time she comes home from college.
Cassoulet is one of our favorite dishes, Anne. I have even gone so far as to confit duck to make it, but you definitely get out of the one-pot area there! Your pretty version looks much more do-able in an afternoon!
I have been waiting for this recipe!
What a beautiful supper recipe here, this would be a major hit in my house!
This looks like a perfect recipe to make for a week of leftovers. As the months get colder and life gets busier I love recipes I can make a big batch of to heat up throughout the week.
I have made a cassoulet a few times and it is delish, yours looks so good!!
Now THAT is some comfort food. I bet you needed it after that parking adventure. Ugh! I hate driving around for parking!
I LOVE CASSOULET. I love the process of making it and it always satisfies! The dried beans are a must! This looks awesome….I think I’ll have to make this again soon! Thanks for sharing!
This looks so hearty and amazing! Cassoulet is on my list of things I’ve never made but simply must make sometime. Thanks!
This sounds – and looks – so deliciously perfect! Yum!
I have always wanted to try to make a Cassoulet!!!! This looks FABULOUS!!!! LOVE!
This is a lovely recipe, I like adding the sausage on top, thats a really good idea.
I can’t believe I’ve never had this before, it’s filled with everything I love!
Beautifully done, Anne! This sounds so good and hearty with a thick broth, yum!
Looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing with us, Annie!
This was a great recipe! Made it last night and it came out great. I feel like I’m in the French countryside on a fall evening. Thanks so much.
So glad you enjoyed it! There’s something about a slow simmer that creates such a rich and satisfying meal!
The name is Anatole France, you don’t translate family names.
Hello Philippe–my apologies, that was an unintended typo!
Looks yummy! I can’t wait to try this.
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