Coq au Vin- the Chicken to woo your chick on Vday ;)

If you're thinking of staying in this Valentine's for something more private and less stressful (think traffic, and restaurant reservations), I strongly recommend the Coq Au Vin. It's something extra special and would rival anything you would have in a fancy resto. I've tried this dish many a times in different places and using different recipes and have always, always found it amazing. As with love, a lot of patience is needed though =) Try this fool proof version of mine adapted from a williams sonoma recipe- with some edits mostly based on availability of ingredients.





Coq Au Vin  [kɔk o vɛ̃]- pronounciation from wikipedia 

Ingredients:
6 Chicken Leg Quarters (the bigger the better)
1 bottle Pinot Noir (can substitute for any good red wine- but steer clear from the sweet ones)

6 oz bacon
1/2 C shallots
1 can Button Mushrooms
1/2 lb baby carrots

7 cloves garlic
2 T tomato paste
2 T All Purpose Flour
2 C Chicken Stock
1/2 leek (cut lengthwise)


What to do:
1. Reduce wine by half by simmering uncovered for about 15 minutes. Set aside. This makes the flavor of the wine bolder and full.
2. Cook the bacon, drain excess oil and set aside.
3. Season the leg quarters with salt and pepper and pan fry the chicken over high heat until skin is brown. You don't have to cook it through, but make sure it receives a nice warm color. This takes roughly 4 minutes each side.
4. In another pan, sautee shallots, mushrooms, set aside.
5. Then sautee garlic, tomato paste and flour. Cook for about 1 minute. Then add the reduced wine and chicken broth and let simmer.
6. Throw in the bacon, chicken, mushroom and carrots. Add a few extra cloves of garlic if you wish.
7. Carefully arrange, then put the leeks and bay leaf- making sure they are fully submerged but can be easily taken out when it's cooked. An option is also to tie them together to form a bouquet garni.
8. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is tender.

Serve with pasta, bread or in our case- rice =). Enjoy with your loved one. And don't forget to give justice to the dish with proper plating and table set-up =p.

Happy Valentine's Day planning! 

abbey