Things can get kind of hectic around this time of year. Lots of things that need to be done before the big day and usually not enough time in the day to get it all done.
Here, we have relatives visiting from out of town, my son from Alberta and my brother from Victoria. I don't get to see them nearly enough as it is, so I want to be able to spend as much time with them rather than cooking. Here is a recipe that fits the bill. Its done in the Crock Pot and cooks by itself all day while you are out and about. You come home to a complete home cooked meal.
Chicken Cassoulet
12 Skinless Chicken Thighs
6 Chorizo Sausage links
1 large Onion, diced
3 stalks Celery, chopped
1 Red Pepper, chopped
1 Jalepeno, minced
1 small Head Garlic, peeled and sliced
Olive Oil
In saucepan, add olive oil and heat over medium heat. Salt and pepper both sides of the Chicken thighs and brown the thighs on both sides in the olive oil. After they are browned remove them from pan into the Crock pot.
Chop up the Chorizo Sausage into bite size rounds and brown those in the same pan as you just browned the Thighs. After they are browned remove them to the Crock Pot and add your chopped Onions, Celery and Garlic into the sauce pan to saute. Saute just until translucent and after add them to the Crock Pot. Add the chopped Red Pepper to the Crock Pot.
To the Sauce Pan add:
1/2 Cup Chicken Stock or Dry White Wine
1 TBSP. Dried Thyme
1 TBSP. Dried Rosemary
1 TBSP. Dried Oregano
1/2 TBSP. Dried Basil
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
1/2 tsp Salt
2 TBSP Tomato Paste
Stir until mixed together and pan is deglazed on the bottom. Add this to the Crock Pot.
Add to the Crock Pot:
1- 28 oz Can Diced Stewed Tomatoes
2 large cans Cannellini Beans
Give the whole thing a gentle stir, pop the lid on the Crock Pot and cook it on High for 6 to 8 hours.
Dinner is done!
You can serve this with Rice or Mashed Potatoes if you choose, or just by itself with chunks of Sourdough bread to sop up all the flavourful juices.
I had to substitute one can of Kidney beans for one of the cans of Cannellini beans at the last moment because I could not find the second can! I still can't find that can of beans! It still tasted great with the kidney beans added. It is comfort food at its best!!
