Lamb Cassoulet
This rustic dish from the South of France is a hearty meal-in-one. The flavours stew and marry underneath a deliciously crispy crust of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large, ovenproof pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large bowl. Discard all but 2 tbsp (30 mL) of drippings from pot. Increase heat to medium-high. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add lamb and cook until brown, about 6 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer lamb to bowl with bacon.
Add onions, celery and carrots to same pot. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; sauté 1 minute. Mix in bay leaves, broth, tomatoes with juices, tomato paste and wine; bring to boil.
Stir in meats from bowl and add beans. Return to boil. Cover pot and transfer to oven; bake in the centre of the oven until lamb is tender, about 1 hour. Remove bay leaves.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan and oil. Sprinkle crumb mixture over cassoulet. Bake, uncovered, until lamb and beans are very tender and topping is golden and crisp, about 45 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
Makes 8 servings
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Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large, ovenproof pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large bowl. Discard all but 2 tbsp (30 mL) of drippings from pot. Increase heat to medium-high. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add lamb and cook until brown, about 6 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer lamb to bowl with bacon.
Add onions, celery and carrots to same pot. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; sauté 1 minute. Mix in bay leaves, broth, tomatoes with juices, tomato paste and wine; bring to boil.
Stir in meats from bowl and add beans. Return to boil. Cover pot and transfer to oven; bake in the centre of the oven until lamb is tender, about 1 hour. Remove bay leaves.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan and oil. Sprinkle crumb mixture over cassoulet. Bake, uncovered, until lamb and beans are very tender and topping is golden and crisp, about 45 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
Makes 8 servings