British pork cassoulet recipe | Good Food

British pork cassoulet

400-450g streaky steaks (strips of pork belly
), rind trimmed
1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil
400-450g pack of pork sausages
(try Cumberland, garlic or sage-flavoured Lincolnshire varieties)
4 back bacon
chops, about 400g/14oz
400g can cannellini, haricot, butter or mixed beans
drained
1 large onion
chopped
4 medium carrots
thickly sliced
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 bouquet garni
'tea bag'
about 600ml chicken stock
(from a stock cube is fine)
25g fresh white breadcrumbs
2 garlic cloves

Method

step 1
Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Quickly pan-fry the strips of pork belly in the oil, followed by the sausages and back bacon chops, until well browned.
step 2
Mix together the beans, onion, garlic, carrots and tomatoes in a bowl. Starting with a spoonful of the veg, inter-layer the vegetable mix and meats in a deep braising pan (about 3 litres capacity, 7.5cm deep, preferably one that will go on top of the stove – see Gary’s tip, below). Place the bouquet garni in the centre as everything is being stacked.
step 3
Pour just enough chicken stock on top to almost cover, then bring to a simmer on top of the stove (see Gary’s tip). Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top and braise in the oven for about 1hr 20- 1hr 30 mins, until the meats are all tender and the top is golden brown. If the stock reduces while braising, simply pour a little more on top to moisten. Remove from the oven and allow to settle for 5 mins before serving. (Remember to take out the bouquet garni.)