Coq au Vin Recipe – Classic French Dish

Coq au Vin is a classic French dish that has been popular for centuries. This hearty meal is made with chicken, red wine, bacon, and vegetables, and is slow-cooked to perfection. Here’s a recipe for Coq au Vin that you can try at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 cups of red wine
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig of thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crisp. Remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
2. Add the butter to the pot and heat it until it’s melted. Add the chicken pieces and cook them until they’re browned on all sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
3. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot, and cook them until they’re softened. Add the flour and stir it into the vegetables, cooking for another minute.
4. Add the red wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer.
5. Add the chicken and bacon back into the pot, and season everything with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the pot to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover it with a lid.
6. Let the pot simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
7. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer, and discard the solids.
8. Return the liquid to the pot and simmer it over medium heat until it’s reduced and thickened. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
9. Serve the Coq au Vin with the sauce and garnish it with chopped parsley.

Coq au Vin is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night at home. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich and complex dish that will delight your taste buds.