Cassoulet Confessions Book Giveaway

Enter our US/UK/AU/NZ giveaway to win one of 3 copies of Cassoulet Confessions: Food, France, Family and the Stew That Saved My Soul by Sylvie Bigar.

Cassoulet Confessions is a captivating memoir by award-winning food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar. Here a simple journalistic assignment sparked a culinary obsession and transcended into a quest for identity. Set in the southern French countryside, this honest and poignant memoir conveys hunger for authentic food and a universal hunger for home.

Sylvie is an award-winning food and travel writer who was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and lives in New York City. Her writing has appeared widely, including in The New York Times, Washington Post, Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Edible, Departures, Travel & Leisure, and National Geographic Traveler. In French, Sylvie has contributed to Le Figaro, Histoire Magazine, Le Temps, and FrenchMorning.com. She also is the co-author of Daniel: My French Cuisine.

In Cassoulet Confessions, Sylvie travels across the Atlantic from her home in New York to the origin of cassoulet – the Occitanie region of Southern France. There she immerses herself in all things cassoulet; the quintessential historic meat and bean stew. From her first spoonful, she is transported back to her dramatic childhood in Geneva, Switzerland and finds herself journeying through an unexpected rabbit hole of memories.

Not only does she discover the deeper meanings of her ancestral French cuisine, but she is ultimately transformed by having to face her unsettling, complex family history. Sylvie’s simple but poetic prose immerses us in her story: we smell the simmering aromas of French kitchens, empathize with her family dilemmas, and experience her internal struggle to understand and ultimately accept herself.

I started reading this title while waiting for a doctor and found myself relating to various aspects of Sylvie’s story. I am savoring the pages slowly in an effort to make it last.

For those in the Denver area – Sylvie will be discussing her book at the Tattered Cover Book Store store on Colfax on November 30th at 6 pm. 

Special thanks to the publisher for providing three copies of this title in our promotion. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Have you ever made a cassoulet?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on February 1st, 2023.

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157 Comments

  • maria411  on  November 10, 2022

    I haven’t made one yet but really want to

  • dataentrytard  on  November 10, 2022

    I have never made a cassoulet but interested in preparing one.

  • hypothermia  on  November 10, 2022

    I haven’t made a cassoulet yet, but I’ve been intrigued by them ever since reading Beasts by Joyce Carol Oates, in which they are mentioned often and sound entirely sumptuous and decadent. I’d love to learn more about their history and make one (or more) for myself.

  • ballen  on  November 10, 2022

    Just had a wonderful cassoulet in Paris and would love to have a good recipe for it.

  • riley  on  November 11, 2022

    I have never made or eaten this dish.

  • oduong930  on  November 11, 2022

    not yet!

  • renharvey  on  November 11, 2022

    Just the one from the The River Cottage Meat Book

  • woodlandsway  on  November 11, 2022

    Cassoulet. One of my favorite dishes. Especially in a restaurant in France with a great red wine

  • roxlet  on  November 11, 2022

    My husband uses Paula Wolfert’s method, so this would be really interesting to read!

  • virjeania  on  November 11, 2022

    No i have not…but i should

  • ravensfan  on  November 11, 2022

    I’ve never made a cassoulet.

  • tamtamgold  on  November 11, 2022

    I’ve made a simplified version, but would like to try the real thing.

  • nvernon  on  November 11, 2022

    Our family makes it every year for the New Year

  • chezsandj  on  November 11, 2022

    Yum Yum Cassoulet! Not a common dish here in our part of NE France but the idea of a whole book on the subject is intruiging.

  • davered  on  November 11, 2022

    Yes, I have made cassoulet several times. I usually use one by Sam Sifton which he developed with Phillipe Bertineau, the chef at Alain Ducasse’s Benoit bistro in New York City.

  • reader1trees  on  November 11, 2022

    No I haven’t and now I’m a vegetarian so this is a dish I’m resigned to never tasting.

  • goodfruit  on  November 11, 2022

    I keep thinking I will make the version of cassoulet in The Heirloom Bean Book by Steve Sando, but have yet to do so! Maybe this book will help spur me to make it!

  • BMeyer  on  November 11, 2022

    I’ve never made one or eaten one but want to try it.

  • VanessaJ  on  November 11, 2022

    I haven’t made a cassoulet yet as I’m allergic to pork!!!

  • foodie16  on  November 11, 2022

    No, I’ve never made a Cassoulet, but I feel as though I really should have a go.

  • HBMc2017  on  November 11, 2022

    Love cookbooks that include a story. And, I also love food/recipes and France, fabulous combination.

  • Roosta  on  November 11, 2022

    I have never made one however I would be interested in having a go.

  • LaurenE  on  November 11, 2022

    I’ve never made cassoulet

  • bkwrms78  on  November 12, 2022

    No, I have not, but I’m going to learn.

  • anniette  on  November 12, 2022

    Reading food memoirs can be as warming and comforting as eating a good cassoulet.

  • Treeheart14  on  November 12, 2022

    I have not made a cassoulet yet, but would be very open to making one!

  • rkosully  on  November 12, 2022

    I have never made a cassoulet, but I would like to!

  • youngsvnnhrs  on  November 12, 2022

    I have never made a cassoulet

  • matag  on  November 12, 2022

    No

  • maryhodgeisme  on  November 12, 2022

    i made a version of David Lebovitz’s cassoulet from My Paris Kitchen. so good!

  • Margee27  on  November 12, 2022

    I haven’t made a cassoulet yet but navy beans and great northern beans are a comfort food for me.

  • maci234  on  November 13, 2022

    no not so far

  • Plumbobmummy  on  November 13, 2022

    No I’ve never made one

  • TheLongestCat  on  November 13, 2022

    I haven’t made cassoulet yet but hopefully with this book I’ll be able to!

  • bookmark77  on  November 13, 2022

    No, not yet.

  • tinatwo1961  on  November 13, 2022

    yes it was a lamb recipe off the net

  • SheenaBatey  on  November 13, 2022

    Yes I have lots of beans and chicken

  • DarcyVaughn  on  November 13, 2022

    I have, but need a lot more practice.

  • ejsmith  on  November 13, 2022

    Not 100% sure what the difference is between a stew, a casserole and a cassoulet

  • bookmark58  on  November 13, 2022

    I have thought about it a few times, but never quite made it.

  • bopper  on  November 14, 2022

    have never made one but think I had one when last in South of France 3 year ago!

  • Dendav  on  November 14, 2022

    Not yet.

  • jd5761  on  November 14, 2022

    Not yet 🙁

  • stbedeslibrary  on  November 15, 2022

    Would love this for our school library. Loads of pupils love cooking!

  • prettypistol  on  November 15, 2022

    I’ve never made a cassoulet.

  • LeahT50  on  November 15, 2022

    No, as a pescatarian it isn’t easy to find recipes, not sure why…fish goes with beans imo.

  • kmn4  on  November 15, 2022

    I have never made cassoulet, but I have eaten it…yum!

  • sayeater  on  November 15, 2022

    I made a vegetarian cassoulet in my Le Creuset 6.25Qt wide round using Rancho Gordo Cassoulet beans. Even though it was veg it was still a process! And memorable because it was the only time I have used that particular pot (it’s pretty big). I remember the result being tasty and certainly feeling accomplished afterwards!

  • agreaves19  on  November 15, 2022

    No

  • Shelley.b  on  November 15, 2022

    No I have not

  • dekokisinthekitchen  on  November 15, 2022

    Yes, I made a cassoulet. So worth the effort!

  • Katm83  on  November 15, 2022

    Haven’t made one

  • dbielick  on  November 15, 2022

    No

  • JayMof  on  November 16, 2022

    Never made a cassoulet but enjoyed one at the home of my British friend Ian. Scrumptious!

  • Lora724  on  November 16, 2022

    I have never made cassoulet.

  • wildchild  on  November 17, 2022

    Not yet

  • Emmormous  on  November 17, 2022

    Not made one yet but plan to.

  • aesop57  on  November 18, 2022

    No not as yet but would love to

  • sarahteertzah  on  November 18, 2022

    not yet!

  • Laura1  on  November 18, 2022

    Yes!

  • emi10383  on  November 19, 2022

    No not yet

  • mpdeb98  on  November 20, 2022

    I have tried to make cassoulet once but I didn’t have access to great ingredients at the time. I would like to try again.

  • lilmiztam22  on  November 20, 2022

    Not yet but would love to try

  • paulbing  on  November 20, 2022

    Not yet

  • TBipp  on  November 20, 2022

    I usually make cassoulet in January of every year.

  • Lilli_  on  November 22, 2022

    No, but I would love to!

  • luccio  on  November 22, 2022

    No – but I want to! (having read about them over the years…)

  • Moosegirl  on  November 22, 2022

    I make cassoulet every winter but I’d love to try different recipes.

  • edyenicole  on  November 23, 2022

    I have not made one

  • demomcook  on  November 23, 2022

    Yes! I made what I called a “quick cassoulet” for years for my family. Love the flavors.

  • maggz19671  on  November 23, 2022

    Never made one

  • nancytownsend  on  November 24, 2022

    Not yet

  • Stephen_Dunn  on  November 26, 2022

    OK I confess, cassoulets are contented cosy comfort! Bring it on!

  • Sand9  on  November 26, 2022

    Yes, years ago – would love to try different recipes x

  • ceejayen  on  November 26, 2022

    I dont think so.

  • NaomiH  on  November 29, 2022

    I’ve never made one but I would love to try.

  • dzm  on  November 30, 2022

    No I haven’t made one yet

  • Jennifer7  on  December 2, 2022

    Have not done this yet and would love to

  • LoraWiley  on  December 2, 2022

    I have never made a cassoulet. Would love to try.

  • dorottyax  on  December 2, 2022

    Not but i would love to try!

  • DFed  on  December 2, 2022

    no but there’s a first time for everything!

  • Maryd8822  on  December 4, 2022

    Yes, and it was delicious!

  • leilx  on  December 5, 2022

    I don’t think I have ever made one

  • hildretha  on  December 5, 2022

    No, but I’d love to!

  • ChicagoJen  on  December 6, 2022

    No, but my daughter loves everything French, so I should.

  • babiafi  on  December 8, 2022

    No, I haven’t – but I’d like to try!

  • Lesevans6  on  December 9, 2022

    No

  • Heaton99  on  December 10, 2022

    No, but I have added beans to meat so I have made something similar

  • Dannausc  on  December 10, 2022

    Yes

  • banba1  on  December 11, 2022

    I have never even eaten one — only read about them in French mystery novels 🙂

  • Pamyoungvb  on  December 12, 2022

    No, I have never made one but I did have an opportunity to eat one – sublime!

  • betsyradelow  on  December 13, 2022

    no!

  • GillB  on  December 13, 2022

    Several times

  • paulo_b  on  December 20, 2022

    a long time ago

  • GrooveHeart  on  December 22, 2022

    Yes but many years ago. I’d like to give it another go and this book sounds perfect for it

  • kbennall  on  December 22, 2022

    I have indeed made cassoulet – several different versions, including with all kinds of variations that make it easier or harder to source in the US (e.g. using bone-in chicken thighs instead of confit duck legs!)

  • Isis1981uk  on  December 23, 2022

    No, I don’t think so!

  • ClaireHamilton  on  December 23, 2022

    No I haven’t made one yet.

  • misty33  on  December 24, 2022

    No but I’ve made a few casseroles and stews using meat and beans

  • krnries  on  December 26, 2022

    I don’t think so, but there’s no real reason why 🙂

  • zeeenie  on  December 26, 2022

    no i havent

  • mumliz  on  December 26, 2022

    ive never made a cassoulet

  • silversand  on  December 26, 2022

    No I haven’t – though I did eat one for the first time during the pandemic! I really enjoyed it and it’s something I’ve been meaning to try for myself since

  • humptybren  on  December 26, 2022

    sadly i have not

  • michelle666  on  December 26, 2022

    No I have never made it or eaten it before

  • grumpygraham  on  December 26, 2022

    i havent

  • hammygav03  on  December 26, 2022

    no, i havent made one

  • nicolej922  on  December 26, 2022

    no, but id like to

  • millyvanilli3  on  December 26, 2022

    no i havent! i should though!

  • dorawhitetail  on  December 26, 2022

    no but now i want to!

  • nocona  on  December 26, 2022

    No but I would like to!

  • sheridarby  on  December 26, 2022

    Yes, but I would love to see some other recipes for cassoulet

  • DimensionAEB  on  December 26, 2022

    No I’ve never made a casserole.

  • Emmamaryd  on  December 26, 2022

    No

  • nomadchowwoman  on  December 26, 2022

    My first was from a recipe in Paula Wolfert’s “Cooking of Southwest France.” Since then, I’ve made five or six from D’Artagnan kits, which are very good, but I’m ready to try another recipe.

  • PatBarrett  on  December 26, 2022

    Yes I’ve made several cassoulets.

  • ickle0ne  on  December 26, 2022

    I haven’t made one but would very much like to.

  • petaljuice2  on  December 26, 2022

    Yes, I once made a cassoulet and it was delicious.

  • orchidlady01  on  December 27, 2022

    I haven’t made a cassoulet.

  • SarahK1000  on  December 27, 2022

    Yes I have made a chicken cassoulet before. They are so tasty and easy to make. I’d love to try the recipes in this book xx

  • ozfoodie  on  December 27, 2022

    If I have, it was completely unmemorable! This book sounds like it might have a little more impact. 🙂

  • lisaa69  on  December 27, 2022

    not yet

  • angiemac18  on  December 27, 2022

    I made one last year from a French recipe and it was delicious

  • milly_matthews  on  December 27, 2022

    I’ve never attempted to make a cassoulet but it looks delicious

  • ccoyle28  on  December 27, 2022

    I have never made a cassoulet, but would love to try!

  • janinex  on  December 27, 2022

    I made one a few years ago using some spicy sausage, a can of baked beans and some other ingredients that I can’t remember off hand. It was really tasty as does this book

  • LeahT50  on  December 27, 2022

    I’ve made several bean cassoulets over the years, family favourites.

  • Glimble  on  December 27, 2022

    No but I have eaten several.

  • Twiddle  on  December 27, 2022

    I have once, it turned out well!

  • Charlieemma  on  December 29, 2022

    Yes I have, I love them!

  • sgreiff  on  December 30, 2022

    Yes. During lockdown while experimenting with new foods.

  • t.t  on  December 30, 2022

    No, but I’ve been wanting to learn

  • dhiza  on  December 30, 2022

    I’ve not made a cassoulet but it’s on my list.

  • chefbabajaga  on  December 30, 2022

    Have been wanting to make cassoulet since I first read about it in a time-life series

  • CutCookEat  on  December 31, 2022

    I have a version I make often that is in my cookbook “Leftovers by Design” called Cassoulet sans Canard, which does not have duck. I am currently working on a update to use dry haricot beans cooked in the IP instead of tinned haricot beans. I would also like to update it to include duck confit using the sous vide as an option.

  • FJT  on  December 31, 2022

    No! But it’s on my list to make soon.

  • natrent87  on  January 1, 2023

    Not yet – I hope too soon though!

  • skvalentine  on  January 5, 2023

    I have never made a cassoulet!!

  • joke7  on  January 7, 2023

    not yet..
    I’ll leave it to the experts

  • ceroooss  on  January 8, 2023

    Yes once- it was delicious 🙂

  • beckyboas  on  January 9, 2023

    No

  • markt6601  on  January 9, 2023

    Yes, many.

  • Lora724  on  January 9, 2023

    I have never made cassoulet, it seems like a very large project.

  • Pickled34  on  January 10, 2023

    Not made a cassoulet yet but I’ve eaten plenty! Time to get into the kitchen and learn.

  • tommy22  on  January 10, 2023

    One day I will

  • Binguy  on  January 10, 2023

    I have made once and interested in trying it again.

  • kmellen  on  January 13, 2023

    I’ve never made one but I’d love to try it!

  • EmilyR  on  January 13, 2023

    Yes!

  • ktpotat  on  January 13, 2023

    once

  • mabelle  on  January 14, 2023

    I haven’t made one but have enjoyed the dish in France and at home (made by a good friend.

  • Jammyegg  on  January 14, 2023

    No, I’ve never made cassoulet

  • SerenaYLee  on  January 16, 2023

    No, I’ve never made one.

  • debbiehb  on  January 16, 2023

    I have not made one but I’ve had this dish in restaurants and really enjoyed it.

  • Spottypike  on  January 18, 2023

    I’ve made all sorts of “cheats” versions and nasty diet attempts, but nothing compares to the ones I ate and would love to cook during la fete locale in the villages outside Carcassone….

  • JenjiD  on  January 25, 2023

    Yes

  • avonleajules  on  January 27, 2023

    I’ve never made or tried cassoulet but I’m curious to do so

  • AnnaZed  on  January 31, 2023

    I have not, but I want to. My highschool friend spent a semester in France, and she made one with the family there. That’s means that I’ve been wanting to do this since 1973.

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