Hunters Rabbit Recipes

PORTUGUESE RABBIT HUNTER STYLE

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium-low heat until hot. Add the bacon and let it sizzle until the fat is rendered and the meaty bits are crunchy, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Generously season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to medium high and sear the rabbit in the fat, working in batches if needed, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• If the pot is dry add a drizzle of olive oil. Lower the heat to medium, add the mushrooms, onions, and bay leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply colored, 18 to 22 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minutes more.
• Pour in the wine and let it burble for 30 seconds, then nestle in the rabbit pieces. Squash the tomatoes with your hands over the pot and add them along with their juice, the 2 parsley sprigs, oregano, and sage.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, add the reserved liver, and simmer, covered, until the rabbit is cooked through, about 1 hour. Toss the parsley and bay leaves. Taste the liquid and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
• If you're so inclined, transfer the rabbit to a platter and with a slotted spoon scoop the vegetables into a small bowl. Turn the heat under the pot to high to thicken the liquid. Otherwise, arrange the rabbit in the middle of the platter and spoon the mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with the bacon. Pour a bit of the liquid over the top and serve the rest on the side. Shower the dish with parsley just before serving.

RABBIT HUNTER'S STYLE

Steps:

• Season the rabbit liberally with salt and pepper; in a large skillet, cook the bacon over med-high heat until crisp.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain; crumble and set aside.
• Add the rabbit to the hot bacon fat and brown on all sides.
• Transfer to a slow cooker.
• Add shallots and garlic to the skillet; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the flour, then add the wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan.
• Add in the tomato sauce, water, thyme, and basil; bring to a boil.
• Pour over the rabbit; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
• Add mushrooms to the slow cooker; cover and continue cooking on HIGH 1 ½-3 hours, until the rabbit is very tender and falling off the bone.
• Taste and adjust seasonings to taste; serve garnished with parsley and crumbled bacon.

RABBIT, HUNTER-STYLE: CONIGLIO ALLA CACCIATORA

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the rabbit and cook until brown. Turn the rabbit over and cook the other side. Remove the browned rabbit to a plate and hold aside.
• When all rabbit is removed, add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Saute until the onion is tender. Add in the browned rabbit and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Add the tomatoes, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until rabbit is done. Remove the rabbit from the sauce and keep warm. Remove the cover and simmer for another 10 minutes on high heat to concentrate the sauce. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Pour sauce on top of rabbit and sprinkle with parsley.