Friday 2 March 2012

WILD RABBIT WITH RED WINE

The other day, one of  our neighbours kindly brought round for us a rabbit that he had caught on his property.  He has live traps, so the rabbits are not harmed at all in the process. It was skinned and dressed, ready for me to cook.  After looking through a few recipes, I decided to do my own thing, as there was nothing that really took my eye.  I judged that the mix of red wine with a game animal sounded just right, so the following is what I did.  I have since tried this recipe with a chicken and "wow", that was  good as well! The meat just fell off the bone!

1 1/2 lkg (approx 3.3 lbs)  dressed wild rabbit with the liver
Large pinch  sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoon flour
2 medium onions, finely chopped
250gr (About ½ lb) mushrooms, chopped chunky
1 small hot chilli finely chopped  (optional)
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1 tablespoon dry parsley
1 bay leaf, crumbled
2 cups red wine
1 cup water

Wash the rabbit well, drain and dry. Remove the fore and hind legs; cut the hind legs into 2 pieces at the joint. Cut the saddle into 3 or 4 pieces and place in a casserole with the liver.  
Heat the oil and cook onions, chilli and mushrooms until the onion is soft. Add the flour and stir off the heat until well mixed.  Put back on the heat and add the water and wine stirring well until the mixture is gently boiling and thickened. Add the thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the rabbit and bake at 130C (260F) for 3 hours.




I served it with potatoes and leeks from the garden, plus some broccoli from the market. We both said it was the best rabbit we have ever tasted, very tender and extremely tasty. Long, slow cooking obviously had a lot to do with it and the recipe seems ideal for a slow cooker, for those of you who are out all day.

90 comments:

  1. sounds very well and looks also very tasty!
    Life and travelling
    Cooking

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  2. Isn't it wonderful to have such kind neighbours? It very rarely happens to us in the UK but we often get gifts of food when we are in France.
    Your recipe looks perfect - that long slow cooking method. We have eaten rabbit occasionally so next time we see one - for sale, not in the garden! - we will give your recipe a try.

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  3. It looks lovely! I have never tasted rabbit but my husband says it is nice! Hope you have a great weekend:)
    ~Anne

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  4. Ola it was really good, I have had rabbit before but this was exceptional. Diane

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  5. Jean we regularly get gifts here, we certainly never got any in the UK. Life there though is so different, how many people have their own vegetable gardens and wild rabbits ready to be caught! We have had gifts here of sanglier cuts and lamb chops, as well as many different vegetables or fruits. This was a really good recipe and the rabbit was so tender. Hope all well there Diane x

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  6. Anne we used to breed rabbits for the table in S.Africa, but this really was the best recipe I have come up with. I think it was also a bit more tasty being wild and gamey. It is very similar to chicken in taste but a little more flavour. Keep well Diane

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  7. Not for me as I find rabbit just has too many bones. In fact I never enjoyed rabbit at all until our neighbour cooked it for me boned!

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  8. In the UK rabbit is not the delicacy that it is in France and I have never developed a taste for it but I am always on the look out for new chicken recipes.

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  9. Very interesting!Would love to try this recipe out one day:)

    www.sangeetamadhav.blogspot.com

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  10. Linda I am surprised, it pretty much has the same number of bones as a chicken just in a different shape! This recipe was so tender the meat fell off the bone so it would be easy to take the bone out after. In fact when I prepared it for dinner the second day that is just what I did. Diane

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  11. cheshire wife, as I mentioned I tried it with chicken as well and it was really good, just lacking in the gamey flavour. The meat fell off the bone it was delicious. Diane

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  12. Sangeeta Madhav thank you for your visit and comment. We really enjoyed this dish and it was so easy to do. It is a while since I have been to Singapore but I bet you are much warmer than we are at the moment! Keep well Diane

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  13. Aarthi I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did and it is so easy. Take care Diane

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  14. Hi Diane, your rabbit dish look delicious. I tasted rabbit several times when I was still schooling. The meat is more tender than chicken.

    Looking at your dish, I'm craving for it now. LOL

    Have a nice weekend.Regards.

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  15. Amelia's De-ssert I think it certainly has more flavour than chicken. The slow cooking certainly made it very tender. I was worried as it was a wild rabbit and I thought it may be a bit tougher, but not so. Have a great weekend Diane

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  16. Glad it turned out. The one time I tried wild rabbit (jackrabbit) over a campfire it was too tough for the dog. I grew on eating domestic bunny and like it a lot.

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  17. I've never tried rabbit, but wouldn't mind trying that recipe for chicken. Sounds very tasty.
    That was really nice of your neighbour.

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  18. I'm glad you like rabbit and your dish looks very nice. But I've never been a fan of rabbit. I ate it as a child and I could never get to like it.

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  19. I really like rabbit and I don't eat it often enough. Lovely slow-cooked recipe.

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  20. Gaelyn I am sure that if we had of cooked this over a camp-fire it would have been tough as well. The slow cooking was really the answer. I have not even had a domestic rabbit this tender. Diane

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  21. Ellie we are lucky to have such good French neighbours, we often get different gifts from the garden, or if they kill a sheep they send us round some chops. We even got some wild pig (Sanglier) last year. Diane

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  22. Joyful as a child I would not eat it, but my father used to shoot them quite often. Mum always cooked them in a casserole and somehow I always believed it was chicken. My Mum never lied, so she would never have actually told me it was chicken. I only discovered one day when my brother slipped up and mentioned something about the rabbit. By then I decided it was OK and I have eaten it ever since. Diane

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  23. Phil this really was the best rabbit I have ever tasted. The flavour was great and it just fell off the bone. They are expensive to buy so I love it when the neighbour brings one around for me. Diane

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  24. I don't think I have eaten rabbit before. Your have nicely created this dish.

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  25. great neighbors and i have never cooked rabbit have eaten in France tasty

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  26. I never have eaten rabbit, but your dish looks yummy.

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  27. I love rabbit and it is one of the most popular dishes on our menu at our Bistro Des Copains. Rabbit is not found frequently on menus here in the US but surprisingly lots of people order and try it for the first time. It is my favorite dish on our menu. Your recipe looks very tasty.

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  28. Always enjoy a good bunny - some people don't - or is it that they look so cute.

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  29. Seems great!
    I like rabbit but not my hubby...
    I'll have to try it with friends!!
    Thanks for the recipe!
    I hope all is well for you!
    As you can see from my blog, I am always out & about in hides or pacing the country side for an animal scene!
    It doesn't leave much time for the blogs!! LOL!
    Have a great W-E!!
    XXXXXXX

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  30. Sonia I am sure you would like it, it is very similar to chicken but with a little more flavour. Diane

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  31. Rebecca Subbiah they are quite expensive in the shops so we do not eat them often. When we get the chance we enjoy :) Diane

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  32. Words Of Deliciousness, time to try :) They really are delicious. Diane

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  33. chcmichel, interesting that rabbit is not found often in the US, I wonder why not. You can buy them quite easily in the UK, and of course very easy in France though not that cheap in the shops. Glad that you like my recipe, it worked really well and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Diane

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  34. Leon and Sue, I am certain that some people will not even try them as the imagine them as sweet and cute little pets. We love them. Diane

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  35. Noushka I do not know how you manage to find so much time to take photos. My days seem to be full in other ways. You will have to train your husband as I am sure you have plenty of wild rabbits around you :) Good weekend to you as well. Diane

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  36. Diane, can come to your house for lunch? This dish looks DELICIOUS! You are quiite the cook!!!

    Red

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  37. What a nice neighbor you have, Diane! I haven't eaten it in years, since living on the farm in Ohio, but your recipe with the mushrooms and wine sounds perfect for it.

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  38. Boye By Red let me know when you are arriving and I will speak to my neighbour LOL. Have a good Sunday Diane

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  39. Pam there are so many wild rabbits here which is why I have had to fence off my vegetable garden. Maybe I should buy a trap! I am just scared of hurting a bird, or something small that should try to investigate. The rabbit is big enough to jump inside when the gate closes without harm. We have fantastic neighbours :) Diane

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  40. I haven't had rabbit in decades since I lost touch with some French friend who used to make it frequently; your recipe sounds perfect, very "cuisine-maison" and very delicious.

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  41. Un lapin bien appétissant.
    J'en mangerai avec plaisir.
    A très bientôt.

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  42. It's hard to find rabbit here, but I'm sure it would taste grand cooked this way.

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  43. Great recipes my dear friend Diane!!!
    Children are very fond rabbit and cook often.
    Will test the your recipe! I thank you very much!
    I hope you and Nigel keep you well!
    Many greetings and kisses

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  44. Taste of Beirut I was really proud of the result of this recipe. It was a five star dish as far as we were concerned. Thanks for your comment. Diane

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  45. Nadji, merci pour le commentaire. Je voudrais que vous manger avec moi:-) À bientôt, Diane

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  46. rosaria. I have another follower who has commented that you do not often see rabbit in the USA. Pity because it is a fantastic meal. Diane

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  47. Magda please tell me if you like this recipe, we both just loved it and will certainly try it again and again. Take care my friend. hugs Diane

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  48. I had a friend who raised rabbits, and swore they were delicious. This recipe looks like a wonderful use of your neighbor's catch! And how very thoughtful of him to prepare it for you.

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  49. hi diane, i hv not had rabbit meat before though i see some selling burgers with rabbit meat here. Is the meat of these wild rabbits different from the normal rabbits?

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  50. I have never had rabbit meat before but your dish looks so delicious Diane. It's great to have good neighbors. We are blessed with some too.

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  51. This sounds like a lovely way to prepare the rabbit. It is difficult, though not impossible, to get here. Recipes like yours make the search worthwhile. The toffee bit are actually crumbled Heath Bars and the recipe for Irish Cream is the first of the 3 recipes that follow the pudding parfait. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  52. Marjie we used to breed rabbits for the table in Rhodesia, but this wild one (to me) add a more gamey flavour which I have to say I preferred. Diane

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  53. Lena as I said to Marjie above, I personally think that the wild rabbit tasted a bit more gamey but probably not a huge difference. Diane

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  54. chubskulit we are really lucky with our neighbours. Despite the fact that my French is so bad we get along very well. Trouble is I can only hold a slow conversation with one at a time and then I still miss most of it. Easier now Nigel is here as his basic French is fairly good and he understands the grammar which I do not! Diane

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  55. Thanks Mary I will be off to check out your last post again, I obviously did not look hard enough! I will have to see what health bars are available here, I have never looked as I have always brought my favourite ones over from the UK for when I cycle.
    If you find a rabbit I hope that you enjoy. Keep well Diane

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  56. Voilà une recette qui met l'eau à la bouche! La cuisson lente dégage tous les arômes qui se mélangent. Cela me donne des idées pour un menu dans quelques jours!
    Bonne semaine à vous!

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  57. Lucie Merci pour votre visite et commentaire. A tres bientôt. Diane

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  58. How nice of your neighbors...I've never cooked or even eaten rabbit.

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  59. In my previous lifetime, I really enjoyed eating rabbits :) Your last photo looks absolutely perfect.

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  60. lovely post I have made like this

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  61. Wow, you're quite brave! I've never tried cooking rabbit or any type of game but your's sounds delicious!

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  62. Looks wonderfhttp://josthisandthat3.blogspot.com/2012/03/blooms.htmlul!

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  63. Bo you have missed out on a great meat, they are delicious if cooked properly. Diane

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  64. Olga it was a really good meal and whats more it lasted for 3 meals for the two of us :) Diane

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  65. Torviewtoronto You may have cooked similar, but this recipe came out of my head so it would be strange if you have cooked the same :) Keep well Diane

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  66. The Café Sucré Farine, no not brave just cooking dinner :) It was a great meal that lasted us 3 days. Diane

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  67. Jo's This and That, thanks for the visit, comment and for becoming my 200th follower. It was a delicious dish and it will certainly be made again and again. Keep well Diane

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  68. I've never actually eaten rabbit but I gather it's delicious - this certainly is a delicious recipe - YUM
    Mary x

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  69. Mary, Mum's Kitchen. You don't know what you are missing :) I was really proud of the result of this recipe, it was fantastic though I say it myself :) Diane

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  70. excellent!!! rabbits are so expensive to buy here, but i must get one again soon :)

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  71. I have not tried cooking rabbit meat at home but I have tried them i restaurants prepared Asian Style. I have to try your recipe sometime. Sound so inviting!

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  72. Muppy rabbits are expensive here to buy as well, the wild ones come cheap so long as you can get them :-) Keep well Diane

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  73. Quay Po Cooks good to hear from you. This was an exceptionally good recipe as far as we were concerned, but then I have not tasted rabbit Asian style! Keep well Diane

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  74. Hi Diane .. rabbit is delicious - someone mentioned to me that it's even better when it's twice-cooked ... and when I made it in an Aga, that's what I did .. it was superb.

    Hope you get a few more .. the meal looks delicious! Cheers Hilary

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  75. Hilary everything tastes better out of an Aga so I am led to believe. I had a large wood oven in old Rhodesian days, there was nothing to beat it for flavour. I think the very slow cooking was equal to a twice cooked as this was certainly the best rabbit I have tasted and I have cooked quite few over the years.
    I will have to be nice to my neighbour :-) Diane

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  76. Hello Diane, isn't it great to have good neighbors. Wine with game!! sounds yummy

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  77. I haven't had rabbit in years. Looks like an awesome recipe. I'm not even sure where to find rabbit? I don;t think the grocery stores carry it.

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  78. Looks delicious Diane. For my taste I'd probably leave out the liver but it is a recipe that I'll keep and try.

    Perhaps over Easter...... or is it a bit insensitive to eat the Easter bunny?

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  79. MARCO PASHA I have fantastic neighbours here in France. I appreciate it even more now as we had the neighbours from hell in the UK!! Diane

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  80. Stephen I am not sure exactly where you are, but I am guessing the USA. It seems that rabbits are not easy to get there which surprises me. They are readily obtainable in Europe, though expensive, and of course if you can get them for free as I did what a pleasure. Diane

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  81. GaynorB Only little bunnies do I think of at Easter. Large ones can go in the pot :-) Diane

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  82. Diane I love how you say at the beginning - he has live traps so the rabbits aren't harmed in the process - ...um.. except when they're killed! The recipe looks very tasty though.

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  83. Jan perhaps I should have said they are not harmed while in the traps :) The dish was very yummy. Diane

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  84. Your comment reminds me of when I was introduced to goat meat. Goats are not eaten here so much but they are a common food as you know in Africa. Well mom didn't know how to tell us we were eating the neighbour's goats that we often played with. She made a stew and watched our reactions before letting us know, after, we ate. I can remember being a bit horrified, but only a bit.

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  85. Joyful LOL, I see there is a lot of goat in the shops here at the moment but it is not particularly cheap!! In S.A. it was pretty reasonable, but then of course I am going back 10 years, cost of everything has risen a lot since then!! Diane

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  86. Diane I admire you for just winging it and cooking the best rabbit ever! I wouldn't know what to do with it. We do have several large rabbits hanging around our neighborhood. Not sure if I have seen them lately come to think of it. :)

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  87. Lyndsey, someone may have beaten you to it!!! If you get a chance try this recipe out it really was delicious. Diane

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  88. It's really an informative and well described post regarding a recipe of Wild Rabbit With Red Wine . I appreciate your topic for blogging. Thanks for sharing such a useful post. Party Hat

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Matthew for your visit and your comment, much appreciated, Have a good weekend, Diane

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    2. Thanks Matthew for your visit and your comment, much appreciated, Have a good weekend, Diane

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