 |
| Time for some French food. Here's the two-page recipe I followed. |
It's been a long time since I conscientiously followed a recipe from Julia Child's famous book,
Mastering the Art of French Cooking. For three friends coming to dinner at our house, I decided to make coq au vin, a dish of chicken in red wine with various garnishes. I didn't take any short cuts: I simmered the bacon, browned the chicken, added the red wine and other ingredients, simmered some more, and then reduced the sauce and thickened it with kneaded butter. I also made the mushrooms, onions, and parsley potatoes that are recommended to eat with the chicken.
Let's face it: Julia Child's recipes take time and concentration. But they are worth every minute.
 |
| Browning the chicken. |
 |
| Braised onions -- first browned, then simmered in stock. |
 |
| Mushrooms are sautéed, combined with the braised onions. |
The recipe is available online at Eater:
"Julia Child's Coq au Vin.
" The online recipe is substantially the same as the one in the book, but the instructions for making the onions are much more detailed in the book, where you sauté them first and braise them -- which has a delicious result. I chose to serve the two parts of the dish in separate baking dishes, but you are actually supposed to combine them.
Serving Dinner
 |
Before dinner we drank red wine and Prosecco with some of Len's French bread,
cheese, and olive tapenade. Then we had a salad (ordinary -- no photo). |
 |
The chicken, the mushrooms and onions, and Julia Child's suggested side dish, parsley potatoes.
|
The red wine sauce on the chicken is absolutely delicious, if I say so myself. I enjoyed cooking these traditional recipes, using my earthenware baking dish. It's a very typical French kitchen item, which I bought in a Paris cookware store, used in our temporary apartment there, and brought back from one of our long stays in Paris.
Dessert -- Actually Two Desserts!
 |
Our wonderful guest Paula baked a chocolate cake and an Atlantic Beach Pie.
Also wonderful guest Mary brought strawberries, whipped cream, and ice cream.
There’s a long story — and a recipe — associated with the pie, but that will be its own blog post. |
Blog post and photos © 2022 mae sander.
The recipe sounds yummy, dessert looks delicious too.
ReplyDeleteTake care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!
I think I need to come to dinner at your house next time time you make coq-au-vin. Smile. It looks delicious Mae. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI've made Julia's Coq au Vin and you're right -- it's a very time consuming recipe -- but it is worth every minute. Not sure I would have done it in the heat of the summer but it's wonderful being in the kitchen on a cool fall or cold winter day, doing all that cooking and smelling and tasting! Your setting, appetizers, desserts, all look fabulous too!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I haven't been to someone's house, other than our kids, in 20 years!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
The most I have ever done with Julia Child is watch her shows on TV. She was a really fun cook, but I have no patience to cook like she did. Your meal looks absolutely fabulous. I can tell you took the time to fix the meal the "Julia" way!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a delicious meal, start to finish. The chicken recipe definitely looks like something worth trying. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteawesome! I like preparing coq au vin as well. Easy, but takes lots of time to do it well, like most French dishes.
ReplyDeleteI have best results when after the sauteed parts I let everything simmer gently in a crockpot. Even more flavor
The dishes look amazing, and I like that you served them separately.
ReplyDeleteMae, what an enviable meal, what lucky guests! The desserts your friends brought look lovely as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is just a beautiful meal.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks super yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad your dinner was a success!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, would be great to the movie Kokowääh (Kokowääh is an onomatopoetic depiction of the French pronunciation of coq au vin. (wiki))
ReplyDeleteThe best meal I ever ate was French. My sister made a birthday dinner of Beef Bourguignon for me. The flavor was rich and amazing. I will never forget it.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that this recipe would be rich and flavorful, too. I must try it.
Looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time eating it!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/07/10/sunday-salon-12/
I never watched the original Julia Child shows, only got to know her through the newer series Julia and then the cooking show The Julia Child Challenge. This got me interested and her coq au vin looked delicious as does yours!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely meal, I haven't had Coq au Vin in a year or more. You have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteOe wow Mae! Mouth watering delicious! I love to follow my own head in the kitchen, but to a follow a connoisseur recipe is just in another class.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a fun time with your friends.
Have a good week ahead!
Elza Reads
I'm far too lazy of a cook to attempt something like this - though I admire those who do! It looks/sounds delish, BUT, never in a million years would I attempt it!
ReplyDeleteYour meal looks fabulous!! I haven't made one of Julia's recipes in years, but you make me want to pull out the cookbook.
ReplyDeleteThat all looks SO delicious! Looking forward to the post about the Atlantic Beach Pie.
ReplyDelete