Saturday, December 11, 2010

Easy Coq au Vin



I'm all about quick and easy meals, especially on the weeknight. But then sometimes it's so fun to roll up your sleeves and take your time putting an hour or two preparing a delicious dinner.



I've been wanting to try Coq au Vin ever since I've heard of it, so when I found an easy version of it in Cooking Light, I knew I had to try it. It's still not exactly a 30 minute meal, but it's fun to make and has all the taste of a slow cooked meal. This was a huge hit with my whole family and it goes perfectly with rice. So next time you have some time, give this a try!



Easy Coq Au Vin
By Cooking Light

Ingredients

4 applewood-smoked bacon slices, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 chicken drumsticks, skinned
4 chicken thighs, skinned
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (750-milliliter) bottle red wine
2 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces button mushrooms, quartered
6 ounces frozen pearl onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in pan. Sprinkle chicken with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken to drippings in pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from pan.

2. Add onion and next 5 ingredients (through bay leaves); cook 5 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Stir in wine; bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring occasionally. Return chicken to pan. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 35 minutes or until chicken is done, turning after 20 minutes. Remove chicken from pan; cover.

3. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Add button mushrooms and pearl onions; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 10 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

4. Place chicken cooking liquid over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by half (about 10 minutes). Discard bay leaves. Stir in mushroom mixture. Return chicken to pan; simmer 5 minutes or until heated. Sprinkle with parsley and bacon.

24 comments:

Rebekah said...

this looks yummy!! i've been wanting to try it too but was waiting for a simpler recipe! thanks for sharing-i'm sure to try this one!!

Anonymous said...

I love coq au vin. I usually wait until I go to a French restaurant to order it. I like this easy recipe of it.

Nisrine

Michelle said...

I know exactly what you mean about prepping a meal that takes some time. I love to do that every once in a while too!

And I can think of no better recipe to take my time with then Coq au Vin!

Kim said...

Coq au Vin is one of those things that I've always wanted to make but never have. It sure does look delicious and I love that you chose a Cooking Light recipe. I really do love their recipes.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Liz said...

Cooking Light strikes again! Looks great!

Julie said...

Sounds like there a whole lot of wonderful flavors going on in there...yum!

Leslie said...

I love Coq au VIn! But the easier version looks so much more appealing to me!!!

Ann said...

I've always wanted to make Coq au Vin. It sounds so good to me, homey and a little exotic.

chow and chatter said...

wow love this recipe and it looks delicious

Erica said...

I am SO with you! Sometimes a difficult meal just make you feel so accomplished! Looks great. I've never made anything like this

Joanne said...

Fast coq au vin is almost an oxymoron but not this version! Looks delicious and full of that red wine/bacon flavor goodness. I've made coq au vin in the slow cooker before...also easy! (But not fast.)

Jen said...

Quick, easy AND delicious? My kind of meal!!

Heather S-G said...

Oh, I haven't had Coq au Vin in a loooong time...it looks so comforting :D I love the sound of this version and I'm going to save it to make soon!

Mary Bergfeld said...

You picked a winner of a recipe. This sounds delicious. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Velva said...

You and I are on the same food place. I need easy during the week, and I enjoy more of a challenge on the weekends, without it being too fussy.
Love, love, this Easy Coq au Vin recipe. Nice. I know you enjoyed wine with this meal? :-)

Reeni said...

I have been wanting to make this forever! It's packed with flavor and looks so comforting!

Natalie said...

I've never made (or even tried) coq au vin...adding it to my list!

Deborah said...

Such an elegant meal!!

Jennifer said...

I have always wanted to make Coq Au Vin as well, but it seemed too complicated. I think I could handle this!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've always wanted to try it!

Kathleen said...

This is always a fav with my family. Your recipe looks especially delicious and I love that its easy!

Debbie said...

Sounds delicious and goes perfect with this cold weather...great dish!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Looks good! Like you I'm all about easy but delicious.
~ingrid

Barbara said...

A great Coq au Vin version, Teresa! It's a time consuming dish, but so worth the effort. I'll be anxious to try yours soon.