Rabbit Provencale Recipes

BRAISED RABBIT WITH PRUNES (LAPIN AUX PRUNEAUX)

Steps:

• Make sure you read the cooking notes before you start.
• Step 1 - At least 2 hours before you start cooking, pat dry the rabbit (with paper towel) and season the rabbit pieces with salt and pepper on both sides. Be generous and make sure to get inside all the nooks and crannies. Set aside to "warm" to near room temperature. You can do your prep work (shallots, garlic, bacon) in the meantime.
• Step 2 - In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or casserole, heat up the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Place the rabbit pieces in (work in batches) and cook for 5 minutes on each side, until the outside is golden. Set aside on a plate.
• Step 3 - Add the bacon strips and cook for about 5-6 minutes, until crisp. Remove the bacon from the Dutch oven with a spatula, so the drippings remain at the bottom, and set the bacon aside.
• Step 4 - Add the shallots and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, until slightly caramelized.
• Step 5 - Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Add the rabbit pieces back in. Pour in the white wine and chicken stock. Add the bacon, 2/3 of the prunes (200g), juniper berries and bay leaves. Cover with a lid, lower the temperature to medium low and cook for 45 minutes.
• Step 6 - After the 45 minutes, ensure the rabbit is cooked through by poking a pointy knife in it. It should insert fairly easily. Add the rest of the prunes (100G) and cook for an extra 10 minutes.
• Optional: When adding the last of the prunes, you can add the rabbit liver. Mash up the rabbit liver in a small bowl with a fork, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and whisk until creamy. Pour in the mixture into the sauce, mix to combine.
• After the 10 more minutes of cooking, serve over rice.

LAPIN FARCI PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Combine rabbit tenderloin, bacon strips, brandy, salt and pepper, and thyme. Marinate for at least 1 and up to 12 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine veal, pork and rabbit liver and kidneys with eggs. Season with salt and pepper, garlic, parsley and thyme. Strain brandy out of marinating bacon and add to stuffing, beating well. Stuff 1/2 of forcemeat tightly into rabbit cavity, keeping a 2-inch clearance at either end. Lay rabbit tenderloin and bacon strips on top and cover with remaining stuffing. Truss or pin rabbit together. Tie rabbit loosely with string every 2 inches, since the stuffing will expand during roasting. Place rabbit in roasting pan, coat with clarified butter and roast for 1 1/2 hours. To serve, remove pins and string and cut rabbit into 2-inch thick slices, like a terrine. Cut shoulders and haunch in two and serve on a bed of buttered noodles.