I've had it in France and the UK a few times. Both times the traditional prepared and it was lovely but never even thought of doing it myself. But looks like a great Sunday dinner if it ever gets cold again down here, so I'm going to give it a try.

Not nearly as complex as this, and the meat was chicken, I think. My friend was so enamored of it, he tried to duplicate; found other more simple recipes, neither Bittman's nor Julia's. Was pretty good, but not exciting.
Had it in Carcassonne 20? years ago; pretty good. Old, dark restaurant, was with my family = 2 kids; impressed by a large dog in the restaurant. C'est la vie en France!!!

Last edited Fri Feb 24, 2012, 06:47 PM - Edit history (1)

I've eaten it many times...Even in France

I don't get the fascination with this dish... I guess if you grow up as a native this becomes akin to the French version of what Mac and Cheese is to many of us in terms of comfort food.

To me it's just a mess of baked beans. I did have a memorable version once in a casual dining joint that seemed like a French Version of a Howard Johnsons. We were stuck in a blinding rainstorm somewhere in the Lorraine... I remember thinking it was pretty good...but it was cold, and wet and we were so hungry even a bowl of beans would have tasted good....