The Ultimate Classic French Coq au Vin Recipe

Ingredients (20)

• 5 pound chicken, rinsed, patted dry, cut into 6 large pieces
• 2 medium carrots, cut into bite-size chunks
• 2 medium white onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cups dry red wine
• 1/4 cup Cognac
• 1/4 cup canola oil, or extra-light olive oil
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 6 ounces good-quality sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
• 8 ounces pearl onions
• 8 ounces mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour