VENISON AND SAUSAGE CASSOULET

From Chef Emeril Lagasse, a south Louisiana twist on a French classic, using the venison brought in by many local deer hunters, plus great local andouille sausage.

For the Beans:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 pound white navy beans
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 8 cups water
• 1 bay leaf

For the Meats:

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup celery
• 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 4 thinly-cut slices venison , about 4-5 ounces each
• 1 pound andouille sausage links, cut into 6 equal portions
• 2 cup chicken broth
• 1 pound chorizo, cut into 2" pieces
• 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning blend

For the Gratin:

• 3/4 cup dried fine bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 3 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the beans, in a large saucepan, melt the butter over high heat and saute the onions and celery for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are slightly wilted. Add the beans, salt, cayenne, water and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until beans are tender and most of the water is absorbed, about 2 hours.

For the meats, in a large oven-proof skillet, over medium-high heat, combine the flour and oil. Stirring constantly, make a medium brown roux. Add the onions, celery, bell peppers, carrots, salt and cayenne. Stirring constantly, cook for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are slightly wilted. Lay the venison on top of the roux-vegetables mixture and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Add the sausages and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add the chicken broth and stir the mixture until the roux and broth are combined and mixture thickens. Scrape the bottom and sides of the pot to loosen any brown particles. Bring to a boil. Add the beans and reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes.

For the Gratin: In a mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, Creole seasoning, and olive oil. Mix well. When the bean-meat mixture is cooked, spoon the gratin evenly over the top and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Spoon a serving of the mixture from the pan onto a plate and garnish with more Creole seasoning, shaved chives and crusty bread.

Yield: 6 servings

 

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Chuck Taggart   email chuck (at) gumbopages (dot) com