jannababe
Culinary Explorer
I recently tried making Coq au Vin, a classic French dish that's surprisingly simple yet incredibly flavorful. The rich, hearty flavors make it perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups red wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until softened.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Return the chicken and bacon to the pot. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
- Cook the Mushrooms: In a separate pan, melt the butter and sauté the mushrooms until golden brown. Add them to the pot in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaves and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot, with a side of crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.