Sausage & Bean Cassoulet

Cassoulet is a dish cooked in the winter in southwest France. It's a traditional peasant dish of beans and sausages sometimes duck. I am not French so this is my 1/2 Brit, 1/2 Sicilian, ex-New Yorker, current Southern Californian, Americanized version. Forgive me Julia Child.

I needed something hearty and warm and this hit the spot. We are actually having weather if you can believe it. Strange water droplets are falling from the sky. Crazy?!


Shelly's Sausage & Bean Cassoulet

2 14-oz cans of Cannellini or Pinto Beans (I used a combo), rinsed and drained
2 links Mild Italian Sausage, casing removed
1 large Yellow Onion, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
4 cloves of Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Basil, chopped
1 (14.5 oz.) can chopped Tomatoes, slightly drained (I used S&W Italian Style w/ seasonings)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
3 Tablespoons Italian Style Dry Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (the really good stuff not the green can)
Olive oil/butter for sauteing

Rinse and drain beans and set aside. Saute sausage till no pink is seen. Drain any fats and set aside. Saute onions till golden. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.


Add beans and sausage to pot along and all remaining ingredients (except bread crumbs and cheese.) Pour into a Pyrex casserole, top with crumbs and cheese and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.



Highlights of the Day:

* Went to Linens and Things. It's about empty (I will miss it) but I scored a super cool Fondue Pot w/ little forks and plates for $7.99. I heart Fondue. Gooey melty cheese what is not to love?!

* Mum and I ran errands in the crazy rain storm and had a blast despite getting drenched. We had the Christmas Music radio station on and it brought up funny memories and stories... best holiday memory, best gift ever, worst gift. Fun stuff.

Best Gift: My bright Yellow Coaster Bike w/ flower banana seat. Once my training wheels came off I got a white plastic basket w/ plastic flowers as a reward. My brother bought it for me ($$ from his first good paying job he's 12 years older) I couldn't find a Christmas Day pic of it but here I am in the summer with it...


Worst Gift: When I was little... Orange and Purple Crocheted Slippers made by my sister (Sorry Sandra) but they were seriously itchy.

* I walked around the lake yesterday between rain showers. I am feeling so much better since I started walking again. It's amazing when you are good to your body how you are rewarded... I was down 3 pounds at this morning's weigh-in.

Listening to: "If Today Was Your Last Day" Nickleback. The new CD is really really good.