Whole Chicken (Yes, feet too!) Coq Au Vin

It happens all the time… We open a bottle of wine that is, eh, underwhelming at best. Now, there are options… One, drink it (nope). Two, toss it (nope) or Three, make coq au vin. When you get a whole chicken that is truly free range, it can sometimes be on the lean side. This is way to keep that chicken juicy and tender. Bad wine + lean chicken = heaven. I fell in love with this simple dish during my travels in France since it was always so hearty and inviting. It is so easily made at home.Break down a whole chicken. Cut off the thigh and leg together. Cut off the wings. cut off the breasts, and keep the carcus! Season and put it all in a slow cooker. Cut off the toe nails and throw in the feet too. Chop up onions, crimini mushrooms, garlic, and carrots to fill the pot half way. pour in a whole bottle of dry Red wine. Chop up a handful of thyme and add. after a few hours, discard the meatless carcass and remove the bones from the feet. These will have made the broth rich with trace minerals and collagen. Cook until you like the texture of the ingredients, then serve a hot bowl of YES PLEASE. haha