Harissa-spiced cassoulet recipe

Ingredients

• ½ lb thick-cut bacon, finely chopped
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 1 celery rib, finely diced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced, plus 2 large carrots, cut into 2½-inch lengths
• 14 oz dried cannellini beans (2 cups), soaked overnight and drained
• Kosher salt
• 1½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1½ tsp coriander seeds
• 1½ tsp yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¾ tsp crushed red pepper
• ¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Twelve 2-oz merguez sausages
• 2 large sweet potatoes (1¼ lbs.), peeled and cut into
• 2½-inch pieces
• 3 turnips (¾ lb), peeled and cut into 2½-inch pieces
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 oz rustic peasant bread, crusts removed, bread cut into ¼-inch dice (2 cups)
• 2 Tbsp minced parsley
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• Plain yogurt, for serving

1. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, cook the bacon over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered. Add the onion, celery and diced carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the beans, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to moderately low and simmer beans until al dente, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, add a generous pinch of salt and let stand for 30 minutes. Drain the beans, bacon and vegetables and transfer to a bowl; reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°. In a small skillet, toast the cumin, coriander and mustard seeds over moderate heat, shaking the pan, until fragrant and the mustard seeds begin to pop, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and let cool. Add the smoked paprika and crushed red pepper and grind the harissa blend into a powder.
3. Wipe out the casserole and heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in it. Add the merguez and cook over moderate heat, until lightly browned all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Do not wipe out the casserole.
4. Add the sweet potatoes, turnips and large carrots to the casserole. Season with salt and black pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 5 minutes. Add the harissa spice blend and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the bean mixture and the reserved 2 cups of cooking liquid and bring just to a simmer. Arrange the merguez on top. Cover and bake the cassoulet for about 1 hour, until the beans are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the oven and uncover the cassoulet.
5. Preheat the broiler. In a bowl, toss the bread, parsley, lemon zest and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil; season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the bread over the cassoulet and broil until golden and crisp. Let the cassoulet stand for 10 minutes before serving. Pass yogurt at the table.