Ingredients

  • 10 whole chicken legs, cut into drumsticks and thighs
  • 1 bottle dry red wine, preferably Burgundy
  • 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
  • 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Cognac or other brandy
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, halved
  • 10 whole black peppercorns
  • Salt
  • 2 1/2 cups dried porcini mushrooms (3 ounces)
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 10 ounces slab bacon, sliced 1/4 inch thick, then cut crosswise into 1/2 -inch strips
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
  • 30 pearl onions
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 pound white mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Method

  • In a large ceramic or glass bowl, combine the chicken with the wine, chopped onions, carrots, Cognac, olive oil, garlic, peppercorns and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 day.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 Drain the chicken and vegetables in a colander; reserve the liquid.
  • Separate the chicken and vegetables and pat dry with paper towels; discard the peppercorns.
  • In a heatproof bowl, soak the porcini in the boiling water for 15 minutes; drain in a sieve and rinse under cold running water.
  • In a large casserole, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 7 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small bowl.
  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Add the chicken to the casserole in batches and cook until browned all over.
  • Transfer the chicken to a platter.
  • Add the reserved vegetables to the casserole and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Return the chicken to the casserole and sprinkle it with 1/4 cup of the flour.
  • Bake the chicken for 10 minutes, or until the flour has browned.
  • Add the stock, the reserved marinade and the porcini to the casserole, cover and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300 and bake the chicken for about 50 minutes, or until cooked through.
  • Meanwhile, blanch the pearl onions in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain.
  • Peel the onions.
  • In a saucepan, combine the onions with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter, the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
  • Add water just to cover and boil over moderately high heat, shaking the pan, until the water has evaporated and the onions are lightly caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • In a large skillet, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter.
  • Add the white mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken to a platter, cover and keep warm in a low oven.
  • Strain the cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • In a small bowl, blend the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour to a paste.
  • Skim the cooking liquid, then gradually whisk in the paste until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Whisk in the tomato paste and season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir the bacon, white mushrooms and pearl onions into the sauce and bring to a boil.
  • Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with the spaetzle.