Main Ingredients:

See below ingredients and instructions of the recipe

Cooking Preparation of the Recipe:

1/2 c Dried black beans* 1 1/2 tb Red wine vinegar
1 Ham hock 2 tb Bucheron or Montrachet*
1 1/2 tb Chinese fermented blk. beans 8 Thin slices French bread
1 tb Butter 28 Snails (available in cans)
1/4 c Julienne of fresh fennel 1/4 c Julienned roasted red pepper
1 Clove garlic; crushed 1 tb Chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c Hot salsa

*Note: Dried black beans should be soaked overnight in cold water to
cover. Amount of Bucheron or Montrachet may be increased to 1-1/2
times amount given.

Drain the beans and put them in a 2-quart saucepan with the ham hock
and fermented black beans. Add cold water to cover ingredients by 2
inches. Bring the water to a boil, skimming of any froth that rises
to the surface. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, until
the beans are tender. Remove and discard the ham hock. Reserve the
beans and about 1 cup of the liquid, or enough to give the beans a
stew like consistency.

Preheat the broiler.

Heat the butter in a large skillet. Add the fennel and cook over
moderate heat, for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add the beans, the
bean liquid, the garlic, salsa and vinegar and stir. Cook over low
heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spread the goat cheese on the bread slices. Place under the broiler
for 1 to 2 minutes, just until golden.

Taste the beans and adjust the seasonings if needed. Add the snails
and cook for 5 minutes, until they are heated through. Remove the
beans from the heat and stir in the roasted peppers.

Divide the ragout among 4 serving plates and sprinkle with cilantro.
Place 2 cheese-topped croutons at the sides of each plate.

Source: Chef Jimmy Schmidt. From "American Bistro" an Irene Chalmers
book, Contemporary Books, Inc.

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