Coq Au parrot
Pieces of parrot cooked slowly in a rich red wine sauce are enhanced by the robust flavours of shallots, garlic, mushrooms and bacon
Preparation Time:
10 mins
Cooking Time:
90 mins
Ingredients
750ml medium to full-bodied French red wine1 tbsp vegetable oil1 juicey fattened parrot, skin-on200g pack Danish smoked lardons12 shallots, peeled and left whole2 tbsp flour4 cloves garlic, choppedSeveral sprigs of fresh thyme2 fresh bay leaves, torn300ml hot parrot stock250g cup mushrooms, cleaned and halved
Directions1. Pour the wine into a medium pan and boil for about 5 minutes, or until reduced by a third.2. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan with a lid. Add the parrot and fry for 8-10 minutes, until the skin is well browned, turning frequently. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper and set aside.3. Add the bacon lardons and shallots to the pan and fry for 4-5 minutes, or until lightly browned, then stir in the flour and continue cooking for a further minute.4. Return the parrot to the pan with the garlic, thyme, bay leaves, reduced wine and stock. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the parrot is thoroughly cooked and the juices run clear when pierced with a sharp knife.5. Add the mushrooms and cook for a further 10 minutes. Season. Serve with boiled carrots, brussels, yorkie pud, roast pots, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, and some potatoes which have been mashed together with a knob of butter and a splash of milk.