Coq au Vin vs Beef Bourguignon: Which Pie Wins?

Bonjour, pie enthusiasts! As the Olympics is based in Paris this year, we decided to create some wonderful French pies (don’t worry, no snails or frog’s legs in sight!). Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of French cuisine to explore two iconic dishes that have been tantalising taste buds for centuries and happen to work exceptionally well in a pie: Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon.

(Coq & Bull as the hunks refer to them!)

Both are rich, hearty, and packed with bags of flavour, but what exactly sets them apart? Let’s embark on a gastronomic adventure together to discover the delicious differences between these two French classics.

First things first, let’s get to know our contenders:

Coq au Vin: This dish, whose name literally means “rooster in wine,” hails from the rustic countryside of France. Traditionally made with rooster, it’s braised in red wine with mushrooms, onions, bacon, and garlic. Yum!

Boeuf Bourguignon: Translating to “Burgundy beef,” this dish is a rich, slow-cooked beef stew originating from the Burgundy region (obviously!). It features tender chunks of beef simmered in red wine, bacon, onions, and a bunch of herbs.

• Coq au Vin: The star of this dish is, unsurprisingly, poultry. Historically, tough, old roosters were used, as the long braising time helped to make the meat tender. Today, chicken is usually used, which results in a subtly different, but equally delicious, texture.
• Boeuf Bourguignon: As the name suggests, beef is the main attraction here. Specifically, cuts that are perfect for slow cooking, like chuck or brisket, are preferred. The long, slow braise creates melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Both dishes owe much of their rich flavour to the use of wine 🍷🍷🍷:

• Coq au Vin: Traditionally made with a hearty red wine, each region of France has its own twist. Burgundy, Alsace, and even Champagne versions exist! We use WINE from Ardeche in our pie.
• Boeuf Bourguignon: This dish proudly features Burgundy wine, making it a true ambassador of its region. The wine imparts a deep, earthy flavour to the beef, creating a rich, velvety sauce that’s simply irresistible. We popped down to the wine merchant along the road, Christopher Piper Wines, and asked them for a recommendation! Burgandy wines are always made with Pinot Noir grapes and we were recommended a Pinot Noir that heralds from the Ardeche region (not a million miles from Burgandy).

While both dishes are hearty and feature a mix of vegetables, their supporting casts are slightly different:

• Coq au Vin: Mushrooms and pearl onions are the classic companions, adding a lovely earthy note and a touch of sweetness. Bacon lardons are also absolutely essential, contributing a smoky depth.
• Boeuf Bourguignon: the beef, bacon and onions are key here, along with a bouquet garni of thyme, parsley, and bay leaf. The result is a harmonious blend of flavours that complement the rich beef.

Both dishes are masters of slow cooking, but there are subtle differences in their preparation:

• Coq au Vin: The chicken is usually browned first, then simmered gently in the wine sauce. This method ensures the meat stays tender while absorbing all those delicious flavours. The sauce is often thickened with a bit of flour.
• Boeuf Bourguignon: The beef is also browned before being braised, but the cooking time is longer to break down the tougher cuts of meat. The sauce is typically thickened by reducing the wine and broth mixture until it reaches a luscious consistency – the wine is reduced in our kitchen until it becomes a delicious syrup!

In the end, declaring a winner between Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon would be like choosing a favourite child – impossible! 😆 Both dishes offer a delightful journey into the heart of French cuisine, each with its own unique charm!

So why not try both? Host a French-themed dinner party and serve up both our delicious new pies on a platter for guests to try!

Whether you’re a fan of tender chicken braised in wine or prefer melt-in-your-mouth beef, Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon are sure to impress. So, don your best stripy t-shirt, pour a glass of wine, and get tasting!

🥧🥧🥧

Both the Coq Au Vin Pies and the Beef Bourguignon Pies are available to mix and match with other bakes, and you can also grab them in boxes of 8 and together in the Coq and Bull Box.