On Saturday, I did a lot of outside work and, as usual, came inside ravished with hunger. Dave used to shake his head as I’d stand in front of the refrigerator or chef pantry door, waiting for either food to jump into my hands or inspiration to strike. On Saturday, the former didn’t happen but, thank God, inspiration eventually struck.
I’m a huge fan of soups, stews and cassoulets; they are nourishing, healthful, generally easy, keep well and, in the form of soups and stews, relatively quick to prepare. Or can be when the pantry is stocked with basic ingredients. I am not a slave to a recipe nor to tradition, especially when it comes to something like a cassoulet. In colder weather, my aim is to feed myself, or a crowd, with something nourishing, easy and with stick to the ribs intentions. In warmer weather, the fare is somewhat lighter.
On Saturday the pantry yielded fresh bay leaves, white beans (aka cannonelli beans), black beans, home canned tomatoes and the refrigerator gave up carrots and chicken mozzarella sausage.
NOTE: I forgot to mention the paprika, bought in Budapest in July 2010. It adds such a depth of flavor…smokey, rich…sooooo good! This paprika has yet to be opened because I bought a pound of loose paprika and this is back-up for when the loose paprika runs out.
The sausage was browned in a bit of EVOO then the canned beans and tomatoes were added. Next, most of a bag of carrots were sliced and added to the mix using my French enamel Le Creuset 3.5 quart oven. This little enamel oven is a workhorse and I’ve used it on both stove top and oven or, in the case of a lot of my cooking, it starts out on the stove stop and is finished in the oven. Marvelous! My little vintage orange oven, don’t think they make this color now, was found at an antique shop for $12; today I found a different color, same piece, on Amazon for $229.95! I love this stuff but I’m not about to pay full price, that’s crazy.
Anyway, my stew was cooked on the stove top until the carrots were tooth tender and I served it with a big glass of cold milk and home made bread. I forgot to mention, on Friday I made five loaves of bread and gave three of them away. The two small loaves I kept are wonderful and, when toasted, were full flavored, toothsome and the perfect addition to the hearty stew.
Generally, I’m not a fan of leftovers but when they are this delicious, it’s a joy to keep eating. There’s enough for three or four meals…what a blessing…and should take me through Tuesday before worrying about another substantial lunch or supper.
When I cook for a crowd, this is the enamel oven I use. It’s a thrift store find and about 5 or 5.5 quarts and is a knock-off of Le Creuset but still is a workhorse and can be used on stove top and in the oven. Since Dave died, I’ve given away a lot of cookware, having found a few really good pieces are able to take me through just about anything I cook. My cook ware looks a bit rough and has a few dings and nicks but it still works like brand new. What more could I ask?
Blessings ~ home canned food ~ EVOO ~ enameled cookware at great buys ~ full pantry ~
That sounds absolutely yummy! I could live on soups and stews all winter long, and paired with home made bread? Wow. 🙂
I just might keep an eye out for a small Crueset knockoff. I have a larger All-Clad dutch oven (swooooon! it was and is a treasured gift!), but a smaller one would be good. Thanks for the information!
smaller is easier to handle, especially when FULL. I’m hoping you find a smaller quart size that’s perfect for you.
Yum, that looks good. I too stand in front of food expecting it to fix itself. If my husband wasn't the cook, we'd either eat out often or starve or have snacks. I'm into finger food. ~:)
That never works out well, does it? Standing in front of the fridge. Dave and I would take turns, now that it’s just me, it’s more difficult to eat well, thus soups and stews. Finger food = cookies and chips, right? LOL at myself
I am definitely going to give this soup a try. Sounds like something we would love! I have only ever cooked in cast iron. My husband brings one home every time he finds a good deal at a flea market or garage sale. I keep saying I have enough and have even given a few away. But he says he can't pass them up. haha My mother has a pot like yours though and I have good memories of her cooking some awesome grub in it, so asked her to "put my name on it". 🙂
It is delicious and I enjoy my cast iron as well as enamel cast iron. Whenever I find cast iron I always buy it. Maybe I’m a hoarder, eh? lol
Hello.
If you want, I will send you paprika from Hungary 🙂
You are marvelous! I bought paprika the last time I visited Hungary; I may take you up on your very kind offer.
My favourite sort of meal.
As much fun to cook as it is to eat.
xo
Indeed! Good meal and good times!
Oh, Yes! Your stew is all that you intended and most delicious looking! I could eat that in any weather or season 🙂
so could I! I’m going to make it in a few days; right now I need to finish my beef stew.
Hi Sweet Friend, Now you have me hungry. What a wonderful stew you made and so hearty. Love it!!When can I stop over for dinner. Your homemade bread looks like the perfect compliment for your yummy stew.
Love the dutch oven you found at the thrift store. What a treasure that is.
Enjoy the upcoming springtime and blessings for a special Easter week.
Hugs!! Celestina Marie
It was wonderful! So good I need to make it again…soon.
Hugs to you!
The paprika is the most important ingredient in a stew!!! :o))) Your stew looks yummy!
I wish I’d bought more, Timi! How are YOU?
I bought my first enameled cast iron pot last year to make gumbo and jambalaya. After drooling over Le Crueset I ended up with a "lesser" brand but it still does an amazing job. Your stew looks relish! Thanks for the recipe.
Le Crueset is good but there are others just as good; my Crueset was all found at thrift stores. Actually, all my enameled cast iron was found at thrift stores.
I'm hungry now. I wish I lived closer to the farm!
I’m always hungry! lol
thank you for the yummy recipe and photos!
i could eat leftovers over and over again,
but my family balks a little!
you’re often in my thoughts and prayers.
Yum! You cook like my mom- she's always making wonderful things from nothing. I have the same orange pot:)))
aw, thanks! do you use your orange pot a lot? mine is in constant use!
That looks so good! But I've never thought of paprika as much more than to sprinkle on deviled eggs for color. You've got me thinking….
oh, paprika is marvelous! I use it a lot and am running out…boo hoo!
sounds wonderful, what's your source for the sausage? have a great week on the farm!
grocery store and I think it’s Johnson Brothers…? can’t really recall but need to make this again this week. I like making stuff I can eat several days…it’s the only way I’ll eat healthfully.
Sounds like a delicious meal. I've never had those cannellini beans.
Homemade bread….what a treat!
they are white kidney beans, I think and I enjoy them, especially in this soup/stew.
Both those casseroles are very fine. I'd love to have one like your Crueset, but can't afford that. I have a lot of cast iron that I've accumulated over the years. My mother gave me a cast iron chicken fryer/lid for a wedding gift — man, has that thing done a load of cooking! Very well seasoned. Your stew looks yummy!
All of my Crueset came from thrift stores; people seem to get rid of them because they don’t know how to clean them. Amazing! I’ve got cast iron that came down through the family and bought a set a few years ago for a song. Unfortunately, Lodge no longer sells that boxed kit. Your fryer/lid is heirloom!
Oh that stew looks heavenly.. I love your cookware..I am of the mindset if it still works, no need to replace it and usually good taste better in an old piece of cookware although I can not say why but it usually does..
Robyn
Cast iron becomes more and more well seasoned as time goes by. You’re right, food does taste better, especially when cooked in well seasoned cast iron AND with lots of love!
Ga is having very strong wind and snow flurries today. Your meal would taste mighty fine tonight!
How’s the weather in GA today? Here, it’s very warm and raining buckets!
I have a pair of cast iron skillets I would be loathe to part with…and eventually I would like to get a small dutch oven. The one I have now is fine for the 5 of us, but in a few years it will just be DH & I at home, and no need for a monster heavy dutch oven.
Yep, those cast iron cookware gets heavier as I age! That green pot is almost impossible for me to lift , especially when it’s full.
I do the same thing … stand and stare and shop the pantry to find inspiration for dinner!
Soup is one of the few meals that actually gets better when it's left over. (We had leftover Potato Cauliflower soup for dinner last night.) Tonight's dinner is already planned. I have kielbasa, kale, potatoes, and white beans. The addition of some onion and chicken stock, and maybe a few tomatoes, should result in soup … we'll see how it goes.
Stay warm!
Oh the soups sound delicious! I make a similar kale, kielbasa, white bean soup/stew and everyone enjoys it greatly. A lot of times, like today, I’ll make supper and take it to parents; today it’s beef stew and will make a pan of brownies along with corn bread or biscuits. It’s unseasonably warm but good food is welcome any time of year, right?