Tag Archives: Laura Calder

Mastering Coq Au Vin

JCAs I’ve been spot checking the site to see what needs to be updated, I was going over my About page and remembered that I wanted to learn how to make coq au vin.  What better way to learn but to learn from the master herself, Julia Child.

Before we begin, I’m going to say this…this was the first time, as well as the last time I will ever make coq au vin.  While it was challenging and interesting, it was also very time consuming.

Since it was Easter Sunday when I made this, I also had to make up a few other things before the main course could be served.

Baked Camembert

Baked Camembert
Baked Camembert

I had never made Baked Camembert before.  I have to say that it was extremely simple to make and came out like a piece of artwork.

I used the Thyme and Garlic Baked Camembert recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking.  The only thing I did differently was use truffle oil instead of olive oil.

This easy starter recipe was so good and absolutely hassle free to make, I almost ate the whole thing on my own, forgetting that Easter Sunday was just beginning.

I highly recommend making this.

As an additional side dish, I also made Honey Hen wings.  I adapted it from Laura Calder’s recipe and used wings instead of chicken quarters.  It was so delicious the first time I made it (last week), it was well worth making it for the second time in a row.

Julia Child’s Coq Au Vin

JC3Since this recipe is rather lengthy, as well as the process, Life’s a Feast made this same recipe and posted up the original Julia Child recipe, including what she had for dessert: Charlotte au Chocolat.

The coq au vin recipe isn’t just for the chicken.  Her post also includes the additional two recipes: Champignons Sautés au Beurre (Sautéed Mushrooms) and Oignons Glacés à Brun (Brown-Braised Onions).  In order to make this dish, you have to make the mushrooms and the onions on the side.  Braising the onions alone takes around 45 minutes to do.

For the alcohol content, I used cognac (which was a really cool process…I’d never flambé before) and chianti as the wine.

It took about 3 hours to make this dish from start to finish. Was it worth the wait?  No.  It wasn’t.  The meal was delicious, but by the time everything was complete, I was so exhausted, I couldn’t enjoy the fruits of my labor.

For sides, I made a plate of simple peas and Fingerling Potatoes Braised with Smoked Paprika from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.

Dessert: Clafouti aux Poires

Clafouti aux poires
Clafouti aux poires

While the chicken was simmering over the flames, I put together this rather simple pear flan recipe from Julia Child (as found on Bettunya’s blog).

I tried to use up as much cognac as I could on Sunday, so I decided to use cognac to soak the pears in.  You’re only supposed to soak the pears for an hour in the alcohol.  Because I was taking so long with the coq au vin, the pears ended up soaking for 2 hours.  Trust me, this ended up being a good thing.

By the time the main entree was on the plates, the clafouti was ready to come out of the oven to cool. The cognac made the dish smell so good!

After dinner, the clafouti was passed around, topped with some ice cream and when I say this was the treat of the day…oh believe me, it was a treat!  I felt so drunk after eating half a slice.  Like I said, the pears soaked in cognac for 2 hours was a good thing.

I usually do not make French desserts, so I was happy with how easy this was to put together.  Julia’s original recipe called for Bing Cherries, but it can be substituted with apples, pears, etc.

This is a dish you will definitely enjoy.  It is a must try!

 

French Food Made Easy: Laura Calder

French Food at Home by Laura Calder includes some of the most amazing French recipes you’ll ever taste. Laura simplifies it for you.

Before moving this site to a new platform, I experimented with a topic last year to see how it would be perceived.  Each month would get its own region and we would take a look at all things from that region.  We’re revisiting FRANCE and all things FRENCH to start off Diary of a Perfectionist Wannabe’s relaunch since it was so popular last year.  We’ll take a look at French food, arts, culture, photography, books, etc. all throughout this month.

Each week we’ll be showcasing a cookbook and divvying up a few of the recipes from the book.  This week’s French recipes are from Laura Calder’s book French Food at Home.

For those just starting out learning how to cook French food, it can seem a little daunting.  As James Peterson writes, you could end up using every single pot and pan in your arsenal just to make one meal.

Calder makes the different processes of making French food a little easier.

For instance, this fabulous Honey Hen recipe with Lemon Pasta was so good, you’re not going to want to share it.

Honey Hen with Lemon Pasta
Honey Hen with Lemon Pasta

Honey Hen

Honey Hen
Honey Hen

Ingredients

1 chicken (3 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard*
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence

[*You can use Whole Grain Mustard as a less spicier substitute for Dijon mustard.  It is equally as good.]

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Melt the honey in a saucepan and whisk in the mustard and herbs.  Pour over the chicken pieces in a baking dish, and roll them around to coat well.

Bake, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through, well browned, and veiled in its dripping hot sauce, 40 to 45 minutes.*

[*Cooking times may vary.]

Lemon Pasta

This is one of my favorite, easy and simple pasta recipes from Laura Calder.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Grated zest of 4 to 5 lemons*
1 cup heavy cream
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
Salt and Pepper
Lemon juice to taste
1/2 pound fresh egg pasta

[*For extra zing and/or color, use a mix of lemon/lime zests.]

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.  While you wait, melt the butter in a saucepan.  Stir in the lemon zest. Pour over the cream and bring to a boil.  Remove from the heat and add the cheese, stirring to melt.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add lemon juice to taste.

Cook the pasta.  Drain, return to the pot, and toss with the sauce.  Divide among four serving plates, garnish as you like, and serve immediately.*

[Note: This dish must be eaten hot.  When it goes cold, it basically turns into cold butter and pasta noodles.]
Toast Soup
Toast Soup

Toast Soup

If you’re like me, it’s a little difficult to get through an entire loaf of French bread.  Instead of tossing the bread out when it starts to go stale, Toast Soup is the answer.

Ingredients

6 slices smoky bacon*
4 cups chicken stock
About 8 cups cubed French bread (roughly 1 loaf)
2 cups milk, more if needed
2 teaspoons sherry or balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard**
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

[*Note: When purchasing bacon make sure it says “Smokey” not “Smoke Flavored.”  There is a major difference.] [**Note: You can use Whole Grain Mustard as a substitute for Dijon mustard.]

Instructions: 

Fry the bacon until cooked but not necessarily crisp.  Pour over the stock, bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover, and let infuse about an hour.

Meanwhile, toast the bread on a baking sheet in the oven until quite dark, but not burnt. Transfer to a large saucepan.

Strain the stock over the toast, reserving the bacon.  Add the milk, vinegar, and mustard and purée until very smooth with an immersion blender.*  Taste before seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cut the bacon into slivers and refry until crispish.  Reheat the soup, whisking in the cold butter at the last minute to give it gloss.  Serve piping hot with the bacon bits scattered over.

[*Note: For added texture, do not purée all of the bread in the soup.  Leave a few pieces as is, but purée the majority of the soup.]

* * * *

Laura Calder’s book is one of my favorites.  It’s a great beginner’s book into learning how to cook French food.  She makes things simple because creating an elaborate French dinner can seem absolutely terrifying.  The recipes are easy to intermediate and everything tastes absolutely wonderful.

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