Duck and Bean Stew (French Cassoulet)

A legendary French chef once said this duck and beans stew was the god of southwestern French food. Nothing can match the comfort brought to you by a good cassoulet. It is the most heartwarming and delicious dish there is. Making a good cassoulet takes some time and effort, but it’s all worth it.

Beans and Vegetables:
dried haricot, cannellini, or navy beans soaked in water overnight (400 g)
½ lb uncut bacon
goose or duck fat (20 g)
1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
1 small white onion, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled but not chopped
½ lb andouille sausage
1 plum tomato (fresh or canned), cut into eighths
1 bouquet garni
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 pinches black pepper
1 clove, crushed
2 tsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Assembly:
4 duck confit legs
duck fat (40 g)
breadcrumbs (50 g)
clove garlic, minced

Garnish:
¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

Drain the beans that have been soaking overnight, discarding the water, and tip them into a large Dutch oven (or other oven-proof pot). Cut the bacon into lardons and add to the beans. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil for 15-20 minutes then drain the beans and lardons in a colander in the sink discarding the cooking water. Set aside.

Heat the oven to 250°F (120°C, Gas Mark 0.5-1).

Return the Dutch oven to the stove top over medium-low heat. Add the goose or duck fat and sweat the celery, onion, carrot, and garlic for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bouquet garni and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the sausage along with the beans and lardons and pour in 2 pts (1.2 L) water or just enough to barely cover the contents in the pot. Bring to a boil, skim off the scum that rises to the surface, then add the salt, pepper, clove, and lemon juice.

Move the pot to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring once, half-way through. After two hours the beans will be soft and creamy in texture and some of the water will have evaporated and the liquid will have thickened. If this is not the case then add another 30 minutes.

Remove the pot from the oven. Bury the duck legs in the beans and sprinkle over the duck fat, bread crumbs, and garlic. Return it to the oven and cook for a further 2 hours.

Serve in a shallow, large bowl with each person receiving one duck leg and a large serving of the beans and vegetables. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with a baguette.

Makes 4 servings.

What to drink: A rustic French red wine, preferably a red Burgundy.

For dessert: A French apple tart (Tarte Tatin). You can’t really go wrong with this classic.