French Recipes: Coq au Vin

French cuisine, renowned for its elegance and complexity, might seem intimidating to recreate at home. However, with a few classic recipes, you can bring the essence of French culinary artistry to your kitchen. 

Here are some delightful French dishes that are not only delicious, but also surprisingly easy to make!

Coq au Vin

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 4 slices of bacon, diced
• 2 cups red wine (Burgundy is traditional)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Mushrooms, quartered (optional)
• Pearl onions (optional)

Instructions:

• Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings.
• In the same pot, brown the chicken on all sides. Remove and set aside.
• Add chopped onions and carrots to the pot, cooking until soft. Stir in garlic and tomato paste.
• Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring to combine. Gradually add wine and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
• Return chicken and bacon to the pot. Add thyme, bay leaf, and mushrooms if using. Cover and simmer for about 1.5 hours.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.