PORK AND BEANS

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE A DETOUR, JIMMY [AKA AMERICAN GIRL] SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA....DAMN HIM, I THINK HE IS RIGHT.

CASTELNAUDARY is one of those innumerable French country towns that boast no particular sights but..........Castelnaudary's chief claim to fame is as the world capital of cassoulet, which, according to tradition, must be made in an earthenware pot from Issel (acassolo) with beans grown in Pamiers or Lavelanet, and cooked in a baker's oven fired with rushes from the Montagne Noire. To try it, go to the Grand-Hôtel Fourcade, 14 rue des Carmes (tel 04.68.23.02.08, fax 04.68.94.10.67; closed part Jan & Sept–April Mon & Sun), where you can gorge yourself for €12.20, then sleep off the after-effects by taking a room upstairs (under €30).