British Pork Cassoulet

No-nonsense hearty meal that needs little or no side dishes - a great family meal - by Gary Rhodes

• Cooking Time Prep 30 mins - 35 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  911

• Protein

  58g

• Carbs

  38g

• Fat

  60g

• Saturates

  22g

• Fibre

  8g

• Sugar

  16g

• Salt

  7.5g

Ingredients

• 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

Directions

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.
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.
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.)

Categories: Cuisines