Cassoulet au Canard (Baked White Bean and Duck Casserole)

Name: Cassoulet au Canard (Baked White Bean and Duck Casserole)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 8-10
Ingredients: 1 lb. dried white beans, such as tarbais, Great Northern, or cannellini, soaked overnight and drained; 4 oz. slab bacon, cut into 4 pieces; 2 tsp. whole black peppercorns; 1 tsp. whole cloves; 8 sprigs thyme; 6 sprigs parsley; 2 bay leaves; Cheesecloth, for herbs; 2 boneless skin-on duck breasts, skin scored in a crosshatch pattern; 1 ⁄ 2 lb. duck sausage; 2 duck legs, drumsticks and thighs separated; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 cups duck or chicken stock; 2 legs duck confit, homemade or store-bought, skin and bones discarded and meat shredded; 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes in purée, crushed by hand; 3 tbsp. duck fat; 1 cup fresh bread crumbs; Country bread, for serving

Serves
serves 8-10

PENNY DE LOS SANTOS

Ingredients

1 lb. dried white beans, such as tarbais, Great Northern, or cannellini, soaked overnight and drained
4 oz. slab bacon, cut into 4 pieces
2 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1 tsp. whole cloves
8 sprigs thyme
6 sprigs parsley
2 bay leaves
Cheesecloth, for herbs
2 boneless skin-on duck breasts, skin scored in a crosshatch pattern
¹⁄₂ lb. duck sausage
2 duck legs, drumsticks and thighs separated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cups duck or chicken stock
2 legs duck confit, homemade or store-bought, skin and bones discarded and meat shredded
1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes in purée, crushed by hand
3 tbsp. duck fat
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
Country bread, for serving

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This duck-lover's version of the classic southern French casserole includes the bird in rich sausages, bone-in legs and thighs, breast meat, and the traditional confit.

Ingredients

1 lb. dried white beans, such as tarbais, Great Northern, or cannellini, soaked overnight and drained
4 oz. slab bacon, cut into 4 pieces
2 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1 tsp. whole cloves
8 sprigs thyme
6 sprigs parsley
2 bay leaves
Cheesecloth, for herbs
2 boneless skin-on duck breasts, skin scored in a crosshatch pattern
¹⁄₂ lb. duck sausage
2 duck legs, drumsticks and thighs separated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cups duck or chicken stock
2 legs duck confit, homemade or store-bought, skin and bones discarded and meat shredded
1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes in purée, crushed by hand
3 tbsp. duck fat
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
Country bread, for serving

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Instructions

Step 1

Boil beans, bacon, and 12 cups water in a 6-qt. saucepan. Place peppercorns, cloves, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves on a piece of cheesecloth; tie into a tight package and add to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered slightly, until beans are tender, about 1 1⁄2 hours. Discard spices and transfer beans and cooking liquid to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; set aside.

Step 2

Season duck breasts with salt. Wipe pan dry and place breasts skin side down in pan; heat over medium-high heat. Cook, without flipping, until fat is rendered and skin is crisp, 5–6 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; set aside. Cook sausage, flipping once, until browned, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice 1⁄2" thick on an angle; set aside. Season drumsticks and thighs with salt and pepper; working in batches, cook, turning as needed, until fat is rendered and duck is browned, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; set aside. Add garlic and onions to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 15 minutes. Return sausage, drumsticks, and thighs to pan and add stock, confit, tomatoes, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook until duck is tender, 1–1 1⁄2 hours. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage, drumsticks, thighs, and confit to a bowl; reserve broth.

Step 3

Assemble the cassoulet: Heat oven to 375°. Rub an 8-qt. Dutch oven with 2 tbsp. duck fat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer 1⁄3 beans to the pot. Add half the sausage, drumsticks, thighs, and confit. Add another 1⁄3 beans, then the remaining sausage, drumsticks, thighs, and confit. Top with remaining beans and pour 1 cup reserved broth over the top. Slice duck breasts 1⁄4" thick on an angle and arrange over the top. Melt remaining duck fat in a 1-qt. saucepan; stir in bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top of the dish and place in oven; bake until cassoulet is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Increase heat to 450°; cook until bread crumbs are browned, 3–5 minutes. Let cassoulet sit 10 minutes; serve with bread.