Coq au vin

Coq au Vin is a classic French dish where the chicken is slowly cooked in wine, usually red, with additions of mushrooms, bacon, and onions. But why not add an Italian touch? We could use a good Chianti instead of the traditional wine, for example. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 chicken, cut into pieces
• 100 g of smoked bacon, cubed
• 500 ml of Chianti or another robust Italian red wine
• 250 g of champignon or mixed mushrooms
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor)
• 2 tablespoons of wheat flour for breading the chicken
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Water or broth if needed to adjust the consistency of the sauce
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Salt and pepper the chicken pieces and coat them in flour.
2. In a large saucepan, heat a drizzle of oil and brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Then remove them from the saucepan and set aside.
3. In the same saucepan, add the smoked bacon and fry until it becomes crispy.
4. Add onion and carrots, and sauté for a few minutes before including the garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves. Continue to fry until the aromas are released.
5. Put the chicken pieces back into the saucepan, add the tomato paste and mix well.
6. Deglaze with Chianti and let the alcohol evaporate over high heat.
7. Reduce the flame to low, cover, and simmer slowly for about 2 hours, until the chicken becomes tender. If the sauce reduces too much, add a little water or broth.
8. Halfway through cooking, add the mushrooms cut into pieces.
9. At the end of cooking, season with salt and pepper and remove the rosemary and bay leaves.
10. Serve the Coq au Vin hot, garnishing with chopped parsley if desired.

Coq au Vin is a dish rich in history and tradition. Originating from Burgundy, France, it is usually prepared with a local wine. The version with Chianti encapsulates the union between French culinary traditions and the taste of Italian wines, offering an intriguing and flavorful variation.