Ham And Bean Cassoulet With Cornmeal Dumplings Recipes

HAM AND BEAN CASSOULET WITH CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• The night before, place dry beans into a pot, cover with enough water to reach 3-4 inches above beans, and allow to soak overnight.
• When ready to begin the cassoulet, drain the beans, rinse, and pick out any odd-looking bits.
• In a large dutch oven or stew pot, heat the olive oil and saute the onions until translucent and fragrant. Add the ham and garlic and continue to cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Pour both boxes of chicken broth into the pot followed by the beans, carrots, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, 2 - 2.5 hours until beans are very soft.
• When the cassoulet is almost done, prepare the dumplings. Mix together the first 6 ingredients and then using a pair of forks or a pastry blender, cut the cold butter into the mixture until it is coarse and crumbly. Add the buttermilk and mix until just combined.
• Drop the cornmeal mixture by heaping tablespoons into the cassoulet. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until dumplings are dry to the touch.

LIMA BEAN CASSOULET

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Saute garlic in hot oil in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat, for 1 minute.
• Add in onion and carrots; stir/saute 3-4 minutes or until tender.
• Add in ham; cook 3 minutes; stir in beans, peas, and next 2 ingredients; bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make Cornmeal Crust Batter: combine all ingredients in a bowl.
• Remove bean/ham mixture from heat; pour batter over bean/ham mixture.
• Bake in oven for 28-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

HAM SOUP AND CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• 1. Place ham bone in 6 cups water and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper to taste. Bring to boil and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove ham bone and discard.
• 2. Add green onions, salt, black pepper, ham, and parsley flakes to broth. Simmer one hour.
• 3. Mix ingredients for dumplings together. Dipping by teaspoonfuls, gently roll batter in the palms of your hands into approximately 1-inch balls; drop into boiling soup liquid. Make sure each dumpling is completely covered in liquid by shaking pot gently. Do not stir.
• 4. Cook 10 minutes uncovered; then cover and cook on low heat for 25 minutes.

EASY FRENCH CASSOULET WITH WINE, BEANS, SAUSAGE, HAM AND HERBS

Steps:

• In a large oven-proof skillet such as a Le Creuset or Dutch oven cook sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-low heat until meat is lightly browned and onion is tender; drain off fat.
• Add ham, parsley, and bay leaf; mix well. Stir in undrained beans, wine, and cloves.
• Bake, covered, at 325°F for 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake 40 to 45 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf.
• Serve in bowls with butter and a baguette or hot corn bread, if desired.
• Makes 6 servings.