Cassoulet is a rich, slow-cooked casserole originating in the south of France, made with duck confit, sausage and beans. Served with good crusty bread and a good bottle of hearty wine Cassoulet is just about the finest warden against the cold dark night. There are as many versions of Cassoulet as there are French grandmothers and Chefs. Some include Lamb, pork shoulder or even partridge. Below I give you a basic version that comes very close to traditional. Lenny's Quick Cassoulet 4 ounces bacon, diced 1 cups chopped onion (3/4 lb)) 1/2 cup celery, diced 1/2 cup carrot, peeled diced 1 lb Sausage links, cooked and sliced 1 tsp finely chopped garlic 1 tsp thyme 1each bay leaf 1/4 tsp black pepper 1 (14-oz) can stewed tomatoes, chopped with juice 2 each confit duck legs* 1 14 ounce can white beans 2 cups beef broth 1 Tbl tomato paste 2 Tbl olive oil 1 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs 1/4 cup Parsley, chopped salt and pepper In a large pot render diced bacon 2. Add carrots, onion and celery cook until translucent 3. Add sliced sausage 4. Add herbs and season 5. Add tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste 6. Add duck confit legs 7. Drain and rinse beans and add to pot 8. Cover and simmer for 1 hour9. Remove bones from cassoulet adjust seasoning if necessary. In a pan heat olive oil and toast bread crumbs. To serve portion out cassoulet and top with bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread and a hearty red wine. Cassoulet calls out for a hearty wine, say Cotes du Rhone, Madiran or Cahors. Malbec has been made famous in Argentina where it produces lovely fruit forward reds, in Cahors where the grape is called Cot the wines are a little more rustic. Cahors is a small AOC wine region located in southwest France (the land of Cassoulet). The AOC is only for red wines, which must be made from a minimum of 70% Malbec and up to 30% Merlot or Tannat. Cahors Malbec tend to be deeper in color, more structured and fuller bodied than their Argentine counterparts. Château Eugénie has been in the hands of the same family of winegrowers for generations. Their great great grandmother gave her name to the property. Chateau Eugenie Cahors Tradition ’13 (France) $9.99 btl / save $4 Like most Tradition wines in Cahors, this fruity and perfumed wine has been aged in stainless steel to keep the fruitiness. Blackberry flavors are cut with acidity and a tight tannic character. Drinking beautifully right now! With the weather the way it is I suggest putting on a pot, open a nice bottle of Cahors and don’t forget the bread.