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1
Wash the beans well and put them in a large stockpot.
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2
Add water to the beans to cover by 2 inches and set over high heat.
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3
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, remove from the heat, cover and let stand 1 hour.
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4
*
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5
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
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6
Put the duck sausage on a baking sheet and place it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
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7
Remove and let cool.
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8
The sausage will not be fully cooked through.
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9
Add the whole onion, whole carrot, 2 of the thyme sprigs and 3 of the bay leaves to the beans.
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10
Add more water to the pot to cover again by 2 inches.
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11
Bring to a boil, lower the heat and let simmer until the beans are mostly tender but with still a little bite to them, about 50 to 60 minutes.
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12
The beans will have soaked up all most all of the liquid you cooked them in.
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13
Meanwhile, pour the olive oil into a large skillet and place over medium heat.
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14
Add the bacon and cook stirring every now and then until crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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15
Using a slotted spoon remove the crispy bacon pieces to a paper towel lined plate and reserve.
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16
To the same skillet, add the diced onion, sliced carrots and garlic and sweat the mixture for 20 minutes, until the onion begins to turn translucent.
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17
Slice the duck sausage on the bias into 1/2-inch thick pieces and add them to the vegetable mix.
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18
Add the remaining bay leaves, thyme sprigs and sliced kielbasa and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
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19
Next add the wine, beef broth, tomato paste and salt and pepper.
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20
Raise the heat to high, bringing the mixture to a boil.
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21
Stir well to dissolve the tomato paste and lower the heat.
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22
Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
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23
Remove the whole onion and carrot from the beans, add the vegetable sausage mixture to the stockpot and return to a low heat.
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24
Stir well and cover.
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25
Let the cassoulet simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until most of the wine mixture has been absorbed by the beans.
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26
Spoon into a casserole dish, sprinkle the top of each serving with some of the reserved crispy bacon and serve with a crusty baguette on the side.
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27
*This is the quick soak method.
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28
The beans can also be left to soak overnight in cold water.
