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French Cuisine

Garbure Béarnaise

Prep1h
Cook2h
Total3h
Yield10 portions
LevelAdvanced
 
 
Garbure Béarnaise
About This Recipe

Garbure Béarnaise is a traditional French bean and cabbage soup from the Béarn region, known for its hearty mix of vegetables and savory duck confit. This French vegetable stew blends flavors of smoked bacon, potatoes, and fresh herbs, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a hearty French soup to warm up with in […]

Scale This Recipe

Servings

Ingredients

Units
  • 1 small Savoy cabbage, — coarsely chopped
  • 2 medium onions, — chopped
  • 2 medium leeks, — cut in julienne style
  • 0.5 cup fat
  • 1 pound navy beans
  • 5 quarts water, — (1 quart = 4 cups)
  • 2 pounds turnips, — sliced
  • 3 small carrots, — sliced
  • 20 pieces green beans, — cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 8 medium potatoes, — peeled and diced
  • 1 , — removed before serving
  • 6 legs
  • 6 cloves garlic, — minced
  • 1 pound smoked
  • Salt and pepper to taste, — to taste
  • 1 bunch parsley, — chopped

Instructions

  1. 1
    The day before: Soak the navy beans overnight or at least for several hours. and rinse them.
  2. 2
    Make the soup: Wash and prepare the vegetables. Sweat the onions, cabbage, and leeks in the duck fat. Add water and all ingredients except the potatoes. the pot and cook the soup slowly over medium heat for about 1 and 1/2 hours. Add the peeled cut potatoes, and cook for 30 minutes or until soft. Add more water as needed.

  3. 3

    At this point, taste the seasonings and add salt and pepper (it may need very little salt because of the confit). Remove the garni, and then serve it hot, accompanied by slices of French bread. Garbure should be served at the table steaming hot.

Take It Further

Want to master this dish like a pro?

This recipe connects to Soups Making 101 — learn the technique step by step in the video lessons.

Tools Used in This Recipe

KitchenAid
Immersion Blender
Victorinox
8" Chef's Knife
All-Clad
Heavy-Bottom Stock Pot
Chef's Notes

Render duck fat slowly over low heat before searing — that patience is what gives you crisp skin without burning it. If you'd like to go deeper, Soups Making 101 covers this in full.

If you'd ever like hands-on guidance for your own kitchen or restaurant, I also offer 1-on-1 coaching through OCS, or you can reach me directly for consulting at 911ChefEric.com.

— Chef Eric

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