Meal #4 - Skillet Cassoulet

French food on a budget? Yes, indeed.  French food is essentially very simple ingredients that, when combined, create a complex merging of tastes and textures.  This Skillet Cassoulet is a fine example of that.  Best of all, it's affordable. Which is why this meal is a part of my Aldi 25 Experiment.

Here's the tally:
Smoked Sausage - $2.39
1 can diced tomatoes - $0.59
1 can cannellini beans - $0.65
1/4 pound ham - $0.82
Onion - $0.19
Celery - $0.10
Carrots - $0.17
4 servings of Instant rice - $0.64
Salad - $1.33
Bread (made from items in my pantry) - $0
-------------------------------------------------------------
$6.88 for 6 servings ($1.15 per serving)

Skillet Cassoulet

2 tsp canola oil

¼ pound smoked turkey kielbasa, cut into ½-in. slices

¼ pound fully cooked boneless ham, cubed

2 medium carrots, sliced

1 celery rib, sliced

½ medium red onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (15 oz.) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes, drained

¾ tsp dried thyme

⅛ tsp pepper

Crusty French bread, optional

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add kielbasa, ham, carrots, celery and onion; cook and stir until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in the beans, tomatoes, thyme and pepper.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until heated through.  If desired, serve with bread.

I served mine with some homemade bread and buttered rice.

Click HERE for a printable version of this recipe.

Bon Appétit!