A Coq Au Vin originally translates to ‘rooster cooked in wine’. Today, we use chicken because rooster meat is not nearly as tender. This recipe produces the classic French stew with dark meat chicken cooked low and slow in red wine and brandy. This yields an amazing rich sauce filled with tender meat, bits of bacon, pearl onions, and mushrooms. Traditional recipes call for a whole cut-up chicken, but I prefer all dark meat because the results are more succulent; without the risk of overcooked white meat.
3 lbs chicken legs and thighs
3 TBSN extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces thick bacon, diced
8 oz large white mushrooms, sliced thick
8 oz pearl onions
1/2 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
1/4 cup Cognac or good brandy
3 cups Burgundy red wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 bay leaf
10 fresh thyme sprigs
¼ cup chopped parsley
3 TBSN unsalted butter, softened
2 TBSN preferred all-purpose flour
Medium mixing bowl, mixing spoon, measuring spoons, large pot, measuring cups, slotted spoon, sharp carving knife, medium saute pan Prep: 10 minutes prep Cook: 70 minutes Ready: 90 minutes Serves: 3-5
Before you handle any food, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Clean your kitchen work area and pull back your hair or wear a cap.
You want to avoid contaminating your meal with harmful bacteria that could cause food illness.
In a small bowl, add the wine, mushrooms, and pearl onions, and allow to marinate for an hour.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove the bacon to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside. Allow residual bacon fat and oil stay in the pot.
3. Drain chicken from brine, wash down with cold water, lay the legs and thighs out. Pat dry with paper towels.
4. Liberally sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
5. Brown the chicken pieces in the pot on medium heat with residual bacon oil for about 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly on both sides.
6. Transfer all browned chicken to the plate with the bacon. Set aside.
7. Add the yellow onions, carrots, and garlic to the pot and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the items are lightly browned.
8. Add the Cognac and put the bacon, chicken, and any juices that collected on the plate into the pot.
9. Add the chicken stock, bay leaf, and thyme and bring to a boil. Drain the mushrooms and onions from the wine and add the wine to the pot. Place mushrooms and onions aside.
10. Reduce heat to low and let simmer. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
11. Add the remaining TBSN of butter and the flour together and stir into the stew.
12. In a medium saute pan, add the remaining 1 TBSN of butter and cook the mushrooms and pearl onions over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until browned. Add to the stew.
13. Top with the chopped parsley and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season to taste and serve hot.
Calories: 337
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6.0g
Cholesterol: 82mg
Sodium: 582mg
Potassium: 473mg
Total Carbohydrates: 7.9g
Dietary Fiber: 0.8g
Protein: 25g
Sugars: 2g
Chicken carries plentiful amounts of protein and a variety of beneficial vitamins and nutrients. Chicken is a great source of vitamin B, which consumed regularly can prevent stress, anxiety, memory-loss syndrome, and can balance cortisol hormones in your body.Moreover, it can improve concentration in children and adults alike. Many studies have revealed that vitamin B also maintains psychological health.Chicken has a high content of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K which contribute to producing red blood cells. When your body obtains the required amount of iron and vitamins, it can produce and balance red blood cells that will eventually deal with anemia.They also help to protect your eyes from weak vision as it is a powerhouse of, retinol, lycopene, alpha, and beta-carotene. The nutrients are essential to maintaining the overall health of your eyes. They regularly promote the growth of damaged cells and tissues effectively because they have a high content of riboflavin which is essential for normal healing of skin tissue.Your immune system requires adequate levels of protein; iron, magnesium, and potassium to function properly that are abundant in Chicken. These nutrients strengthen cells in your immune system, as well as your teeth and gums due to the high content of phosphorus. When you consume phosphorus regularly, it can alleviate factors that weaken your teeth and prevent gums bleeding as well.Chicken is a powerhouse of magnesium and phosphorus which are known to maintain cardiovascular health. They also contain plenty of nutrients that help relieve common cold and other illnesses associated with it such as a sore throat and congested nose.
Medium bodied red wines such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
More varieties coming soon!
