Rustic French Cassoulet: Easy Slow-Cooked Delight
Experience the soul-warming flavors of France with this simplified yet robust cassoulet. Combining tender, high-meat sausages, succulent pork chops, and hearty beans, this dish mirrors the essence of traditional French cookery without the fuss. The vibrant mix of carrots and tomatoes, enhanced by a splash of red wine and aromatic garlic, creates a cozy meal that’s perfect for family gatherings or chilly weeks. Slow-cooked to perfection in either a Crock Pot or Le Creuset, this dish offers a wonderful contrast with crispy breadcrumbs on top. Serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed Savoy cabbage for a satisfying meal that celebrates comfort food at its best. Need to serve more? This recipe is easily doubled, making it a fantastic choice for entertaining or family feasts.
4-6
Servings
367
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lardons or bacon
50 g (chopped into small dice)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon
Meaty sausages
450 g
Lean pork chops
4 pieces (cut into large chunks)
Tinned beans
400 g (haricot or butter beans)
Onion
1 (peeled and diced)
Carrots
4 (peeled and diced into biggish chunks)
Chopped tomatoes
400 g
Chicken stock
400 ml
Red wine
200 ml
Sugar
1 teaspoon
Garlic cloves
2 (minced or more to taste)
Breadcrumbs
50 g
Bouquet garni
1
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon or lardons and cook until nearly crisp.
2
Next, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chunked carrots to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and beginning to caramelize. Once done, drain any excess fat and transfer the mixture to either your Crock Pot or Le Creuset.
3
In the same skillet, brown the sausages on all sides until they develop a golden crust. Remove from the skillet and add to the previously set aside mixture.
4
Repeat the browning process for the pork chops, adding them to the mixture once golden.
5
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken stock and red wine, then stir in the chopped tomatoes and sugar. Pour this mixture over the ingredients in the pot, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
6
Insert a bouquet garni into the mixture and give everything a thorough stir to combine.
7
Carefully fold in the tinned beans, ensuring they’re well-distributed throughout.
8
Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly on top of the mixture.
9
For the Crock Pot, cover and cook on high for up to 6 hours. For the Le Creuset, cover with the lid and place in a preheated oven set to 150°C (300°F) for about 3 hours.
10
In the final 30 minutes of cooking, remove the lid from the Le Creuset to allow the top to brown. If using a Crock Pot with a grill feature, feel free to grill the top briefly to achieve a crispy finish.
11
Serve hot with fluffy mashed potatoes and sautéed Savoy cabbage for a delightful dining experience.
Nutrition Information
17 g
Fat
22 g
Carbs
26 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic French Cassoulet?
It is a simplified yet robust version of a traditional French slow-cooked stew featuring sausages, pork chops, and beans.
What types of meat are used in this cassoulet?
This recipe uses 50g of lardons or bacon, 450g of meaty sausages, and 4 pieces of lean pork chops.
What kind of beans should I use for this recipe?
Tinned haricot or butter beans are recommended for this dish.
Can I cook this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook it in a Crock Pot on high for up to 6 hours.
Can I use a Le Creuset or Dutch oven?
Yes, you can cook it in a Le Creuset in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for about 3 hours.
Do I need to brown the meat before slow cooking?
Yes, browning the bacon, sausages, and pork chops in a skillet first develops a golden crust and enhances the flavor.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the cassoulet?
Peel and dice the onion, mince the garlic, and peel and dice the carrots into biggish chunks.
What is the purpose of the bouquet garni?
A bouquet garni is used to infuse the stew with aromatic herbal flavors during the slow-cooking process.
How do I achieve a crispy topping?
Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of oven cooking or use a grill feature on a Crock Pot.
What should I serve with French Cassoulet?
It is best served with fluffy mashed potatoes and sautéed Savoy cabbage.
Is this recipe suitable for large groups?
Yes, the recipe is easily doubled, making it a great choice for family feasts or entertaining.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 367 calories.
How much protein does this dish provide?
One serving of this cassoulet contains 26g of protein.
What type of wine is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 200ml of red wine to add depth to the sauce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 to 6 servings.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 17g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use bacon instead of lardons?
Yes, you can use 50g of bacon chopped into small dice as a substitute for lardons.
Why is sugar added to the sauce?
A teaspoon of sugar is added to the mixture of stock, wine, and tomatoes to balance the acidity.
What is the liquid base for the stew?
The liquid base consists of 400ml of chicken stock, 200ml of red wine, and 400g of chopped tomatoes.
How do I prepare the pork chops?
The lean pork chops should be cut into large chunks and browned before being added to the pot.
Can I use different beans?
While haricot or butter beans are traditional, you can use other sturdy tinned beans if preferred.
What temperature should the oven be for the Le Creuset method?
The oven should be preheated to 150°C (300°F).
When should the breadcrumbs be added?
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly on top of the mixture before you begin the long slow-cooking process.
Should the beans be added at the beginning?
Yes, carefully fold in the tinned beans after the liquids and bouquet garni have been added.
How long do I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, garlic, and carrots until they are softened and beginning to caramelize.
Is this a good meal for cold weather?
Yes, the soul-warming flavors and hearty ingredients make it perfect for chilly weeks.
Do I need to drain the fat after cooking the bacon and vegetables?
Yes, it is recommended to drain any excess fat before transferring the mixture to your cooking pot.
Can I use more garlic?
The recipe suggests 2 minced cloves, but you can add more to taste.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
The recipe requires 14 different ingredients.