Veggie Cassoulet

By joanmarie

Ingredients

• 3 cups unsalted vegetable stock
• 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 12 ounces)
• 1 turnip, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 8 ounces)
• 1 fennel bulb, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 8 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 2 tablespoons unsalted tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
• 1 cup water
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 (15-ounce) cans unsalted white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 1.5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup)

Details

Preparation time 55mins
Cooking time 80mins
Adapted from cooking light.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring stock to a boil in a small saucepan; add porcini mushrooms. Remove pan from heat; let stand 15 minutes. Strain stock through a fine sieve over a bowl; reserve stock mixture. Chop mushrooms.
2. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons oil. Add onion; cook 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add potato, turnip, fennel, and 1 teaspoon thyme; cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are slightly tender, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add wine; cook 2 minutes. Stir in stock, 1 cup water, bay leaf, and chopped mushrooms; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, partially covered, 25 minutes. Stir in beans; return to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat; stir in salt and pepper.
3. Preheat broiler to HIGH. Melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs; cook 3 minutes or until breadcrumbs are lightly toasted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over cassoulet. Broil 1 minute or until breadcrumbs are browned. Drizzle each serving with 1/2 teaspoon remaining oil.
Fuller's ESB ABV 5.5%
An oft-overlooked style of beer, ESB (extra special bitter) is a dark, malty, full-bodied brew that goes remarkably well with the warm flavors of winter stews, especially cassoulet. London-based Fuller's ESB presents hints of toffee and biscuit enlivened by a slight citrusy finish that plays nicely with the cassoulet's sugary sweet potatoes and carrots. Fuller's ­nuttiness lends even more depth to this flavorful dish.