East Meets West With Ming Tsai Season 1 Episode 2 Asian Coq au Vin

East Meets West With Ming Tsai is a cooking show hosted by Ming Tsai, a celebrity chef and restaurateur who combines traditional Asian ingredients and techniques with classic Western recipes. In season 1 episode 2, Ming prepares an Asian twist on the classic French dish coq au vin.

The episode opens with Ming in the kitchen, introducing the dish and explaining the ingredients he will be using. He starts by marinating chicken thighs in soy sauce, rice wine, and ginger, giving them a flavorful base before they hit the pan. While the chicken marinates, Ming prepares the other elements of the dish. He slices mushrooms and onions, chops garlic and shallots, and preps thyme and rosemary to bring in the classic French flavors of the dish.

Once the chicken is ready, Ming sears it in a hot pan with oil until it's golden brown. He then sets the chicken aside and adds the mushrooms, onions, garlic, and shallots to the pan, sautéing them until they're soft and fragrant. Next, he adds a cup of red wine to the pan, deglazing it to pick up all the delicious brown bits left over from searing the chicken. He also adds chicken stock, tomato paste, and the herbs, giving the sauce a rich, complex flavor.

Ming then adds the chicken back to the pan, letting it simmer gently in the sauce until it's tender and fully cooked. As a final touch, he adds some blanched pearl onions, which soak up the savory flavors of the dish and add a pop of sweetness and texture.

As he plates the dish, Ming adds a garnish of chopped parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper, a nod to both French and Asian seasoning styles. He serves the coq au vin hot and bubbling, with a crisp baguette on the side to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Throughout the episode, Ming shares tips and tricks for making the dish at home, including how to properly marinate the chicken to infuse it with flavor and how to deglaze a pan to create a rich sauce. He also emphasizes the importance of timing and multitasking, showing how to keep all the elements of the dish moving smoothly to ensure a cohesive final product.

Overall, the Asian coq au vin is a creative and satisfying dish that blends the best of French and Asian cuisines. Ming's skilled preparation and expert advice make it accessible for home cooks looking to add an international twist to their dinner table.