Cassoulet

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Posted at 12:02PM, 05 September 2009 by Andrea McGinniss - Editor, bbcgoodfood.com

The winter boots were dusted off this week and worn into work for the first time in months, for much as we might try and deny it, the chill is back in the air, and the puddles are back on the footpath. It's not all bad news though, particularly on the food front as rib-sticking casseroles and warming one-pots make a welcome comeback.

One-pots are all good, as far as I'm concerned. Not only do they mean less dishes, the very slow-cooked nature of them mean flavours are full-on and portions hearty. My particular favourite is cassoulet , the bean-and-sausage speciality of the south of France's Languedoc region.

The towns of Castelnaudary and Carcassonne both claim to be the birthplace of cassoulet, and purists debate whether the slow-cooked stew should feature pork sausage, goose, duck or mutton. White haricot beans are, however, essential. Personally, I don't mind, as long as it's rich, tender and satisfying. If it were a man, I'm pretty sure I'd want to marry it.

If cassoulet were a man, I'm pretty sure I'd want to marry it.

For now though, I'll make do with a fling. I'm spoilt for cassoulet choice. As part of the Sud de France Festival of Food and Wine taking place across the UK this month, Café Rouge restaurants are putting it on the menu. Most weekends you'll find me at the Borough Market eating chorizo burgers and drooling over the raclette, but this weekend I'll be trying to fit in some more cassoulet at Marché du Quartier too. Well, you've got to ward off the winter chills somehow, don't you?

What's your favourite one-pot and why?

Comments

Chris Brack

4 September 2009, 2:36PM
Chris Brack

Well being from Eire it has to be good auld Irish stew with barley, lamb falling off the bone, carrots, potatoes and parsnip in big chunks still with a bite but remaining soft, buckets of fresh herbs all slopped up with cheddar cheese soda bread......droooooooool ...oh nearly forgot and a pint of beer.

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miniminx

4 September 2009, 3:29PM
miniminx

jambalaya.........spicy and tomatoey, with loads of chilli, garlic and paprika. the meat varies, but its usually chorizo, shredded chicken and prawns yum yum yum. the ultimate hangover dinner!

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miniminx

4 September 2009, 3:31PM
miniminx

can i also just say that i am outraged that the only jambalaya recipe on this site is made in the microwave!! i'm adding my tried-and-true recipe right now!

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miniminx

4 September 2009, 4:17PM
miniminx

last post, promise: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12694/hangover-jambalaya

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Pat

5 September 2009, 3:50PM
Pat

Since we are not back in Carcassone, my husband thinks we're off to Cafe Rouge - hope its worth it!

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Suzanne

7 September 2009, 3:38PM
Suzanne

For me it's a slow-cooked beef stew, preferably made with Guinness, lots of whole shallots, thyme and carrots. Served up with fluffy mash or just loads of crusty bread to mop up the lovely sauce. Or if I'm feeling fancy, I'll make a slow-cooked lamb tagine with prunes and almonds, and serve it with herby couscous.

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Babs

11 September 2009, 9:47PM
Babs

Brisket of beef with loads of root vegetables and gravy round it slow roasting for 3 hours whilst you go out and come back into the warmth and the wonderful smell of the casserole and all it needs is some really good buttery mash potato

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VikCakeStar

24 April 2011, 2:44PM
VikCakeStar

I live in the South of France. Having eaten at Cafe Rouge in London I have to say that their food is NOTHING like French, not even a good impression. So come over here if you really want a cassoulet! (And by the way it is thickened with breadcrumbs too)

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