Ep 5. The French Chef: Coq Au Vin

Season 2 Episode 5 of The French Chef with Julia Child is titled "Coq Au Vin." In this episode, Julia takes viewers through the step-by-step process of making the classic French dish, coq au vin. She starts by introducing the main ingredients - a whole chicken, mushrooms, onions, and bacon - and emphasizes the importance of using good quality ingredients to make the dish really shine.

Julia then demonstrates how to properly chop an onion and bacon, and explains how to properly brown them in a heavy skillet. She also explains how to properly prepare the chicken, including how to cut it up and remove any excess fat. Once the chicken is browned, she removes it from the skillet and adds the mushrooms to cook in the remaining fat and juices.

Next, Julia prepares the sauce for the coq au vin. She adds flour to the skillet and stirs until it becomes a paste-like consistency, then adds chicken stock, red wine, garlic, and thyme. Julia emphasizes the importance of choosing a good quality wine for the dish, as it will greatly impact the flavor. She then adds the chicken back into the skillet and lets it simmer for about an hour, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Throughout the episode, Julia offers helpful tips and tricks for cooking, such as how to properly flip the chicken and how to adjust seasoning to taste. She also provides some background information on the history of coq au vin, explaining that it was traditionally a peasant dish made with rooster meat that had been marinated in wine.

As always, Julia's charming personality and enthusiasm for cooking make the episode both entertaining and informative. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a comprehensive understanding of how to make this classic French dish and will be inspired to try it out for themselves.