Cassoulet, the French triumph over baked beans, is an enviable dish to serve at a New Year’s party; if you plan ahead, you will reserve 2 cups of the Christmas goose meat to lend an inimitable touch to the cassoulet. Ham Madrielene and Russian Salad complement Cassoulet most favorably for a New Year’s Eve buffet dinner to serve 24.

2 pounds dried Great Northern beans
12 cups water
3 pounds pork sausage links
2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 pound bacon, chopped
2 cups cooked goose meat
4 cups chopped onion
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons rosemary
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 cups dry red wine
3 cups bean liquid
2 cups tomato paste

Wash beans; place in stock pot and add water; bring to boil. Boil 2 minutes only; remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Bring to low boil and simmer until tender; about 3 hours. Drain beans. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Cut sausage links in half and brown in skillet; remove and drain. Brown beef and bacon; drain. Place beef, bacon, goose, onions, garlic and seasonings in 6-quart casserole; add wine and bake in 350F oven 1 hour.

Add beans, sausage, and tomato paste. Stir lightly; add 1 cup bean liquid; bake, covered 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. For crisp crunchy top, bake uncovered last 30 minutes.

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