CHICKEN CASSOULET

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 slices bacon, preferably low sodium, cut crosswise into ½ inch strips
• 5 bone in chicken thighs (appx 2 lbs)
• 1 lb chicken sausages (Andouille or garlic/herb)
• 2 ½ cups white beans (great northern or cannellini), soaked overnight
• 1 large onion, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into 2 inch pieces
• 1 stalk celery, chopped into 2 inch pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 cloves
• 2 tsp chicken demi-glace (optional)
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 sprigs parsley

DIRECTIONS:
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Spray cooking oil to coat a Dutch oven or similar size oven proof copper pan. Heat on medium high. Add the bacon and cook about 5 minutes per side until just starting to get crispy. Remove from pan and set aside on a plate with a paper towel.
• Add the chicken to the pan, skin side down. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes without moving to brown the chicken, then turn over to cook for a few more minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside on a platter.
• Add the sausage to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes to brown, turning occasionally. Remove the sausages and set aside along with the chicken. Move the meat items to the fridge while you cook the beans.
• Add the onion to the pan, cook on medium for about 5 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the carrots, celery and garlic to the pan along with the beans. Stir to combine. Add the stock along with the bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, parsley and demi-glace (if using). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook the beans about 45 minutes, until just tender.
• Remove the cover from the pot. Use a slotted spoon to remove the carrots, celery, rosemary, parsley, bay leaves and cloves. Add the chicken thighs, sausage and bacon back to the pan. Stir to combine with the beans. Arrange the chicken so that the skin is facing upward near the top of the pan.
• Move the pan to the oven and cook uncovered for two hours. A bit of a crust should be starting to develop after two hours. Remove the pan from the oven, gently stir, and return to the oven.
• Continue cooking uncovered in the oven for two more hours, stirring to break up the crust every 30 minutes.
•After 4 hours total cooking time in the oven, let the cassoulet cook for 1 more hour undisturbed to let the crust build up a bit more. After 5 hours cooking time in the oven, your cassoulet should be ready to enjoy! Remove carefully from the oven, and scoop into bowls to enjoy with a Languedoc red wine. Bon appétit! © Photo and recipe courtesy of David at www.CookingChatFood.com

Domaine De Nizas
Les Galets Dorés
Languedoc, France

Located near the medieval village of Pézenas in the heart of the Languedoc region, Domaine de Nizas was created in 1998, by John Goelet, an American descendant of a family of Bordeaux wine merchants. He gave Bernard Portet, of Clos Du Val fame, the mission of selecting the most promising terroirs around Pézenas to establish the estate. Portet acquired individual plots that represented different soil types ultimately creating a rich and diverse source of grapes for crafting artisanal wines of extraordinary quality and depth. Surrounded by garrigue (local wild herbs), the vineyard is a unique mosaic of three deep, well-drained soil types. River pebbles impart freshness and fine tannins while limestone creates powerful wines with red fruit aromas. Domaine De Nizas has been certified sustainable since 2007.

“Expressive, fleshy and fruity, this wine offers pleasant notes of ‘garrigue’. The palate is round and approachable, with flavors of dark fruit and herbs. This wine is ideal with roast rack of lamb with thyme or pork tenderloin casserole with braised vegetables.”  – Nathalie Arnaud-Bernard, winemaker.

Winemaker: Nathalie Arnaud-Bernard
Appellation: Languedoc, France
Varietal Blend:  60% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 15% Syrah
Analysis: 14% alcohol / volume