The dish is robust with colors - deep green Kale atop a medley of golden butter beans and tomato chunks, speckled with vibrant pieces of carrots and celery, and adorned with pearl onions adding a glossy touch. A sprinkling of breadcrumbs and finely chopped parsley completes the picture, making the whole dish come together in a harmony of rustic beauty.

Rustic French Slow-Cooker Kale Cassoulet

Name: Rustic French Slow-Cooker Kale Cassoulet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 495 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 bunches Kale, 2 bunches washed and roughly chopped; 1 cup dried butter beans, 1 cup soaked overnight and drained; 4 plum tomatoes, 4 diced; 2 carrots, 2 diced; 2 celery stalks, 2 diced; 8 pearl onions, 8 peeled; 4 cloves garlic, 4 cloves minced; 1 cup red wine, 1 cup; 4 cups vegetable broth, 4 cups; 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons; 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon; 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons; salt, to taste, to taste; black pepper, to taste, to taste; 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup; 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 480 minutes

Style French

Technique Slow Cooking

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: May 10, 2024

Introducing a slow-cooked French twist on traditional fare - we're playing up the earthiness of Kale while using classic French ingredients such as wine and garlic. The result? A visually bright and vibrant dish that's comforting and packed with flavors. The slow cooker is a great tool for this dish, allowing the complex flavors to fully meld together while keeping the prep easy and stress-free. Enjoy!

Ingredients (for 4)

2 bunches kale - 2 bunches - washed and roughly chopped
1 cup dried butter beans - 1 cup - soaked overnight and drained
4 plum tomatoes - 4 - diced
2 carrots - 2 - diced
2 celery stalks - 2 - diced
8 pearl onions - 8 - peeled
4 cloves garlic - 4 cloves - minced
1 cup red wine - 1 cup
4 cups vegetable broth - 4 cups
2 tablespoons tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
1 tablespoon dried thyme - 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt, to taste - to taste
Black pepper, to taste - to taste
1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley - 1/4 cup - finely chopped

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🥕🧅

In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, and peeled pearl onions. Sauté until onions are translucent.
Step 2 - 🍅🌿🥄

Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme until well combined.
Step 3 - 🥘🍅🍷

Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Add the soaked butter beans, diced tomatoes, red wine, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 4 - ⏰🔥🥘

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
Step 5 - 🥬🕰🥘

An hour before serving, stir in the roughly chopped kale. Cover and continue cooking until the kale is tender but still holds its vibrant color.
Step 6 - 🥣🍞🌿

Just before serving, sprinkle the stew with breadcrumbs and finely chopped parsley.

Additional

Traditionally, Cassoulet is a slow-cooked casserole containing meat and white beans originated in the south of France. This version is heart-healthy and more accessible. Plus, you can exchange the kale for other sturdy greens like collard or Swiss chard depending on what's in season.