Coq Au Vin

The day started out like any normal day off would.

Slept till 8 am!  (cue happy dance)..........ok done.

While Brainstorming on dinner plans(and talking with my BFF Beth from Ohio),

A challenge was raised.  "What is on the menu tonight?" she asked

I replied, "A steak dish"

The retort was swift "you always do that.  Try something different"

I replied "Like what?"

"Coq Au Vin" (She recommended Julia Child's recipe).. ( I love her)

Challenge Accepted.....

Of to Market I go........

I picked up a 4 lb chicken and decided I would also try out my quartering of a chicken technique.

Not too bad for a gringo. ( Ignore the fact that there are 8 pieces there). Season chicken with salt and pepper

cut 6 slices of thick cut bacon into 1x1/4 pieces  boil in water for 10 minutes Drain and put in ice bath
then pat dry with paper towel and set aside.

Brown chicken on both sides,

Flambe` with cognac then add 2 cups pinot noir, add thyme  3 cloves smashed garlic 1 bay leaf and 2 cups chicken stock. Bring to a boil then cover let simmer 30 minutes.

While that is happening,

set up a pot of water to boil and add package of pearl onions. (fresh onions) unpealed.

Take them out of boil and into an ice bath to stop cooking and make them easier to handle
Cut off both ends of onion, it will slide out of is skin. set aside. (thank you Julia Child).

Heat up a cast iron pan and fry bacon till brown (save drippings).

One package of crimini mushrooms quarterd place into an olive oil and buttered pan.

( house smells amazing !!!!  Just sayin....)

Now take the pearl onions and place them into the cast iorn pan with the drippings from the bacon
quiclky stir  to keep them from burning   you want a hint of brown.

Remove chicken from pan and set aside ( chicken will be red in color due to the wine)

Reduce liquid to half (About 2 Cups)

Add in 2 tbs of butter (that has been mashe up with 3 tbs of flour in to a paste). whisk in.

Put chicken back in to reheat (sauce will thicken... this is a good thing)

Serve over pasta (Traditionally egg noodles. But Im a rebel.) Place the mushrooms bacon and onions on the side. enjoy!!

Such great flavors in this dish! The sauce is vibrant and rich, The chicken.. moist, tender, and flavorful.

The bacon onion mushrooms were a perfect acompaniment to the dish.  Next time I need to make sure I have a french bagette to help sop up that sauce...

Dessert was a Vanilla Ice Cream with Pomagranate and Blueberries.

 And coffee........definately coffee.

Till Next Time.

Enjoy The Way Of the Fork!

In the first picture you will see celery and carrots  these arent for this dish. ( They photo bombed in)