Braised Bacon Vin Blanc Recipes

COQ AU VIN BLANC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large, heavy Dutch oven over high heat fry the bacon until crisp and all of the fat is rendered. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crisp bacon bits to paper towels to drain. Set aside and reserve.
• Season the chicken pieces with the salt and pepper. Brown the chicken pieces in the hot bacon fat, working in batches, if necessary, until golden on all sides. Transfer the chicken pieces to a large plate or bowl and set aside. Remove all but about 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the Dutch oven. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the chopped onion, pearl onions, shallots and garlic cloves to the Dutch oven and cook until soft, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and cook for 7 minutes longer, or until they've released most of their liquid and have begun to brown. Add the flour and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Slowly add the wine and stock, stirring constantly. Add the thyme, bay leaves reserved bacon and chicken. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook the sauce at a gentle simmer for 15 minutes, until liquid is slightly thickened. Bring the sauce to a boil and cover the pot. Place in the oven and cook for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender. Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving dish and cover loosely to keep warm. Return pot to medium-low heat. Skim any fat from the surface of the cooking liquid and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the heavy cream and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon, about 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Return the chicken to the Dutch oven and cook for a few minutes to heat through, then serve.
• Serve with egg noodles and Braised Leeks. Garnish with chopped parsley.
• Using a sharp knife, trim most of the roots off the ends of the leeks, leaving enough so that the leek remains attached at the bottom. Cut each leek lengthwise into halves or quarters, as desired. Run leeks under cold running water, using fingers to loosen and remove any dirt or sand from between the leaves.
• In a heavy skillet or saute pan that has a tight fitting lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks to the skillet with any water that is clinging to the leaves from washing them. Cook the leeks, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the stock and thyme and lower the heat to medium-low. Braise the leeks, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

CIDER-BRAISED SLAB BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place bacon in an 8-inch square baking dish, and rub all over with pepper. Bring cider and maple syrup to a boil in a small saucepan, and pour over bacon. Cover with foil, and braise bacon in oven 55 minutes. Turn over bacon, cover, and braise 50 minutes more. Remove foil, and let bacon cool in liquid.
• Remove bacon from braising liquid, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Transfer liquid to a small saucepan; bring to a boil, and cook until reduced to a glaze (you should have 1/3 cup).
• Toss bacon in glaze to coat, and cook in a nonstick pan or preheated cast-iron skillet over medium heat, turning once, until deep brown and caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes total.

COQ AU VIN BLANC

Steps:

• Make sure you read the cooking notes before you start.
• Step 1 - At least 2 hours before you start cooking, rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly and pat them dry all over with paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Be generous and make sure to get inside all the nooks and crannies. Set aside to "warm" to near room temperature. You can prep your veggies (carrots, onions, etc.) in the meantime.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180C) with a rack in the middle.
• Step 2 - In a large heavy-bottom skillet (or oven-safe pan), melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the bacon sticks over medium heat for 7-8 minutes until crispy. Set aside on a plate; do not wash the skillet.
• Step 3 - Place the chicken pieces into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes on each side, until the skin is golden. Set aside with the bacon; do not wash the skillet.
• Step 4 - Add the carrots, onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a large wooden spoon, until lightly caramelized. Pour in the brandy (or cognac) and chicken stock, wine, and stir to combine - make sure to scrape off the bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the chicken pieces back into the skillet and top with the bacon and sprigs of thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and place in the oven. Cook for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
• Step 5 - While the chicken cooks in the oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook the mushrooms and shallots for about 10 minutes, until cooked through.
• Step 6 - Remove the chicken from the oven. In a small bowl, mash together 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour and stir into the skillet with a fork (lumps may form at first, but they will dissolve as you stir). Add the pearl onions and mushrooms, and simmer over medium heat for about 10 extra minutes for the sauce to thicken slightly.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve alongside white rice or mashed potatoes.