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Rick Stein Cassoulet

Rick Stein Cassoulet

Rick Stein’s Cassoulet is a traditional French dish made with a combination of meats like duck confit, sausages, and pork belly, slow-cooked with white beans in a rich tomato and herb-infused broth. Originating from the southwest of France, it’s a rustic dish that embodies the essence of slow, comforting cooking.

Ingredients

  • Duck confit: 4 pieces, for rich flavor
  • Toulouse sausages: 4, or other thick pork sausages
  • Pork belly: 400g, cut into chunks
  • White beans (haricot or cannellini): 400g, soaked overnight or canned
  • Onions: 2, finely chopped
  • Garlic cloves: 4, minced
  • Tomatoes: 4 large, chopped, or 400g canned tomatoes
  • Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons, for depth of flavor
  • Chicken stock: 750ml, to create the rich sauce
  • Herbs: 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs of thyme, and parsley for garnish
  • Breadcrumbs: 100g, for the crispy topping
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons, for cooking
  • Salt and pepper: To taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat: Heat olive oil in the casserole dish over medium heat. Brown the duck confit, sausages, and pork belly pieces, then set aside.
  2. Sauté the onions and garlic: In the same dish, cook the chopped onions and garlic until softened and golden.
  3. Add tomatoes and stock: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken stock. Add the bay leaf and thyme for flavor.
  4. Combine with beans: Add the soaked or canned white beans to the dish, mixing gently.
  5. Layer the meats: Nestle the browned duck confit, sausages, and pork belly into the bean mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Simmer and bake: Cover the dish and simmer on the stovetop for 20 minutes, then transfer to a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F). Bake for 2 hours.
  7. Prepare the breadcrumb topping: Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil and chopped parsley. Sprinkle over the cassoulet.
  8. Brown the topping: Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy.
  9. Serve hot: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve directly from the casserole dish.