Easy French Cassoulet With Wine, Beans, Sausage, Ham and Herbs

BecR's Note:

Richly fragrant and so very delicious, this French style cassoulet with ham, pork sausage, white beans, wine and traditional herbs is also an EASY one-pan meal! Great, warming comfort food that takes the chill off in the colder months--this cassoulet is very hearty and welcoming to come home to after a winter's walk or some sledding fun! Serve the steaming cassoulet in bowls accompanied with a baguette or corn bread, a tossed salad, and a nice glass of cider or wine. ENJOY! Notes: Chopped kielbasa will work in place of the bulk pork sausage, and ground allspice in place of the cloves. Also dry white vermouth in place of dry white wine, is good. Can be baked in a 2-quart size casserole dish (deep rather than shallow), if you do not have a Dutch oven.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1/2 lb bulk pork sausage
• 1 small onion, sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 stalk celery & leaves, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/2 cups cubed cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons snipped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 pinch rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 (15 ounce) cans white beans (undrained)
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 dash ground cloves or 1 dash allspice

Directions:

1. In a large oven-proof skillet such as a Le Creuset or Dutch oven cook sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-low heat until meat is lightly browned and onion is tender; drain off fat.
2. Add ham, parsley, and bay leaf; mix well. Stir in undrained beans, wine, and cloves.
3. Bake, covered, at 325°F for 45 minutes.
4. Uncover and bake 40 to 45 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.
5. Serve in bowls with butter and a baguette or hot corn bread, if desired.
6. Makes 6 servings.