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Cassoulet with Duck Confit

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Soaking and resting time for beans 14 hours
Total Time 16 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • 2 ½ - 3 quart deep casserole dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 4 oz pancetta cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1/2 medium onion cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 8 oz dried cannellini or flageolet beans rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 2 hours and drained
  • 2 thyme sprigs
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • ½ large head of garlic 7-8 whole cloves, separated into cloves and peeled
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 pieces of prepared duck leg confit or prepare your own - see link in text of post
  • 2 French garlic sausages sliced lengthwise 1/2 inch thick and scored, if desired
  • 1 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan, heat 1 ½ tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat until the fat has been rendered, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the beans, thyme sprigs, water and stock and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat, stirring and skimming occasionally, until the beans are al dente, about 1 hour.
  • Add the garlic cloves to the beans and simmer until the garlic is tender, about 15 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs. Season the beans with salt and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the saucepan overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°. Rewarm the beans on the stove over moderate heat. Transfer the beans to a 2 1/2 - 3 quart deep casserole dish. Nestle the duck legs, garlic sausage and bacon into the beans. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the cassoulet is bubbling and all of the meats are hot. Remove from cassoulet from the oven: remove the duck legs, discard the skin, take the meat off the bones and shred it coarsely. Return the duck the cassoulet and let rest for 15 minutes.
  • In a skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the parsley over the cassoulet and serve.