Duck Confit and White Bean Stew

By GadgetGirl

This easy take on the laborious French classic cassoulet has just three steps. Radicchio stirred in at the end adds a fresh bite.

Ingredients

• 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups dried cannellini beans (3/4 pound), soaked overnight and drained
• 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Four 6-ounce whole confit duck legs
• 6 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 4 purple or orange carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 thyme sprigs, plus leaves for serving
• 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
• 1 small head of radicchio, leaves torn into bite-size pieces

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 45mins
Cooking time 105mins
Adapted from food & wine.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a large pot, combine the chicken broth and beans with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the duck legs and cook over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and heated through, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly, then coarsely chop or shred the meat. Set aside the crispy skin.

Add the shallots, carrots, garlic, thyme sprigs and herbes de Provence to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are caramelized and completely tender, about 20 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Discard the thyme sprigs. Stir the shallots and carrots into the beans, then stir in the duck and radicchio. Garnish with thyme leaves and serve topped with the crispy skin.

MAKE AHEAD
The stew (without the radicchio) can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat gently and add the radicchio just before serving.
SUGGESTED PAIRING
Spiced, berry-scented Oregon Pinot Noir.