Pork and Lentil Cassoulet

Annacia's Note:

This variation on cassoulet uses lentils instead of the traditional white beans. In place of pork, you may substitute beef bottom round. *EDIT*I have had a problem with the lentil's cooking well in the crock pot. I suggest that you pre-soak them for an hour prior to adding them to the crock pot and cook on high and allowing for an extra 1/2 hours cooking time if it's needed.

• Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3/4 lb boneless pork shoulder
• 1 large onion, cut into wedges
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes, cut up
• 4 medium carrots, and sliced 1/2 inch thick (2 cups) or 4 medium parsnips, sliced 1/2 inch thick (2 cups)
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup lentils
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• fresh rosemary sprig (optional)

Directions:

1. Trim fat from pork and cut meat into 3/4-inch cubes.
2. In a large nonstick skillet brown pork, onion, and garlic in hot oil.
3. Transfer mixture to a 3-1/2- to 4-quart electric crockery cooker, add water, undrained tomatoes, carrots or parsnips, celery, lentils, rosemary, bouillon granules, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours (12 hours if using the low-heat setting).
5. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig, if desired.
6. Make-Ahead Tip: Slice vegetables the night before; add seasonings. Cover and chill until ready to assemble in crockery cooker.

Reviews

[Tish]

We ended up putting this on high for 4 hours in the crockpot..husband didn't come home on time so I put it into the fridge to put back in the crockpot on low for 8 hours. For whatever reason, the lentils were still a bit chewy but the overall tast was good! Thanks for another easy meal :)

[Margie99]

I love a dish that already has some veggies and protein and this was a hit. It's easy to throw together and forget about until it starts making the house smell great. Thanks for a keeper.

[barefootandpregnant]

Love this recipe! I used parsnips, which added a more sweet flavor, which my husband wasn't crazy about; so maybe next time I will use the carrots instead. I loved it with the parsnips, though.