Happy New Year with a Bottle of Corbiers and a Cassoulet.............let's get this party started (mini Weekend Wine Review)

Gerard Bertrand Corbiers is rich, spicy, has a full body, fruity AND a sweet bargain at World Market for $9.



I am so excited about the new year! New recipes to try, wines to sample, writing projects, bread making.....who could ask for more :-)

Ok, let's check out this "new" book and a cassoulet.

On one of my outings to My Favorite Books I came across this slender volume, Classic French by Marie-Pierre Moine. We enjoy trying different versions of cassoulet (even though the basic premise is the same) so this book was put to the test.



Breton Pork and Bean Casserole
Porc aux Haricots

Ingredients.............

2 TB olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound shoulder of pork, cubed
12 ounces lamb (we used lamb steaks and cut it off the bone)
½ pound sausage
14 ounce can chopped tomatoes
2 TB red wine (Hahahaha…….I used about a ½ cup) and it was perfect
1 TB tomato paste
Bouquet garni
14 ounces canned cannellini beans, drained
1 cup breadcrumbs (from homemade bread!!)
Salt and pepper

Ready to roll? Here are simple directions.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Heat oil in Dutch oven and simmer up the onion and garlic. Don’t you just love that aroma, gets the juices going and you are hungry before you are halfway through the prep!

Remove onion and garlic with slotted spoon and set aside. Now add the meat to the pan and fry up. Do this in batches if you need to so it’s not crowded in the pan. Once browned, return onion and garlic to pan. Stir it up well!

Now tip in tomatoes, wine (have a sip for yourself), tomato paste and 1 ½ cups water. Season well and add Bouquet garni. Cover and once it starts boiling, cover, then pop that bad girl in the oven for an hour and half.


Now you are free to do something else for that hour plus. Walk the dog. Clean out that closet and give up on the clothes you haven’t been able to wear for 4 years (Goodwill bag), read another couple chapters of Game of Thrones………..



Ok, hour and half is up. Carefully remove that hot and heavy Dutch oven. Remove bouquet garni and stir in beans. Sprinkle bread crumbs over casserole and return to oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Perfect meal for a wintery evening. Or a cold damp evening. Very nice with a side salad and baguette.

Mmmmmmm…warms the tummy. Pass the wine.



Happy New Year to all! I wish you a year of prosperity and happiness!