Cassoulet - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. dried white beans
1 bay leaf
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 Tbsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 medium onion, stuck with 3 whole cloves
1 ham shank, preferably with meat on it
few sprigs fresh parsley
4 slices bacon, diced
4 medium onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 to 5 lb. lean beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 tsp. rosemary
1/2 tsp. salt
black pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste
1 c. dry red wine
1 1/2 lb. smoked link sausage, fully cooked

Preparation

Soak beans overnight in large kettle in water to cover (or cover with water, bring to a boil, simmer 2 minutes, remove from heat and let stand 1 hour).
Add all other ingredients and more water if needed to cover beans about 1/2 inch.
Partially cover and simmer slowly until beans are almost but not quite done.