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Tripe à la mode de Caen

Tripe à la mode de Caen is a traditional dish from Normandy, in northern France — specifically from the city of Caen. It’s a hearty, old-fashioned kind of French comfort food that dates back to at least the Middle Ages.
The dish is made primarily from beef or veal tripe (the edible lining of a cow’s stomach), usually the four parts of the stomach, along with ox feet, carrots, onions, leeks, celery, garlic, and bouquet garni (a bundle of herbs). The ingredients are slowly simmered together in a sealed earthenware pot called a tripière—traditionally for many hours, sometimes up to a full day.
Here’s what makes it special:
The slow cooking turns the tripe incredibly tender.
The ox feet provide natural gelatin, thickening the broth to a silky texture.
Apple cider or Calvados (apple brandy from the region) is sometimes added for depth and a touch of sweetness.
The result is a rich, savory stew with deep aromas typical of Norman cuisine. It’s often served with boiled potatoes and a glass of dry cider.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Cuisine French
Servings 4 servings
Calories 133 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1.5 kg beef tripe about 3¼ lb, , cleaned and cut into large strips
  • 1 beef trotter or calf’s foot , cut into pieces
  • 2 large carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 large onions peeled and sliced
  • 1 leek white part only, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
  • 1 bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, bay leaf, celery)
  • 250 ml dry apple cider (1 cup), (Normandy-style)
  • 2 tbsp apple brandy (Calvados, optional but excellent)
  • 500 ml beef stock about 2 cups, or veal stock, or water to cover
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • few whole black peppercorns
  • Butter or a little duck fat for greasing

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold water. If it’s not pre-cooked, blanch it in boiling water for 10–15 minutes, then drain.
  • Grease the inside of a heavy, ovenproof pot (a Dutch oven or earthenware tripière if you have one). Line the bottom with pieces of calf’s foot.
  • Layer tripe pieces over the foot. Scatter the carrots, onions, and leek over the tripe, followed by the garlic, bouquet garni, and peppercorns. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Pour in the cider and Calvados. Add enough stock or water to just cover the contents.
  • Cover with a tight-fitting lid. (Traditionally, the lid is sealed with a simple flour-and-water dough to make it airtight; you can do that for fun!)
  • Transfer to a low oven at 120°C / 250°F and cook gently for about 5 to 6 hours, until the tripe is very tender and the broth rich and fragrant.
  • Remove the bouquet garni and any bones from the calf’s foot. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot in deep bowls with boiled or steamed potatoes and plenty of crusty bread.
  • Enjoy it with chilled dry Normandy cider — it balances the richness perfectly.
Start Cooking
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Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 0.1g (1%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 289mg (13%)Potassium: 622mg (18%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 13g (14%)Vitamin A: 6670IU (133%)Vitamin C: 13mg (16%)Calcium: 130mg (13%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
Disclaimer

Nutritional information for this recipe is an approximation and is not to be construed as medical advice.

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