SLOW COOKER CASSOULET

Steps:

• 1. Bring the beans and 8 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until just beginning to soften, about 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to slow cooker. 2. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook the pork until well browned, about 10 minutes; transfer to slow cooker. Brow kielbasa in the empty pan about 5 minutes; using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and refrigerate. Add the onions to the fat in the pan and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 30 sec. Add broth, brandy and tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to boil then transfer to slow cooker. 3. Season chicken with salt and pepper and wrap in foil. Place foil packet o top of the stew in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until the pork and chicken are tender, 6 to 7 hours. 4. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to plate. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull the meat from the bones in large chunks, discarding the skin, bones and excess fat. Transfer 1 cup of the beans from the slow cooker to a bowl and mash until smooth. Stir the mashed beans, chicken meat and reserved kielbasa into the slow cooker. Cook, covered until heated through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, pulse the bread, butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until coarsely ground. Toast the crumbs in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Season the cassoulet with salt and pepper to tae. Serve, passing bread crumbs at the table. Finished cassoulet an be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, bring to a simmer over medium heat, thinning the broth with water as necessary.