Braised Rabbit with Mustard Sauce
Yields4 ServingsPrep Time20 minsCook Time1 hr 30 minsTotal Time1 hr 50 mins
For the Rabbit
1 whole rabbit (2-3 lbs), cut into 6-8 pieces
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Sauce
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 bay leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon zest, for brightness
Prepare the Rabbit
1
-
In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and black pepper.
-
Dredge the rabbit pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
-
Heat olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Sear the rabbit pieces for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
-
Transfer the browned rabbit to a plate and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
2
-
In the same pot, add the sliced onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
-
Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Deglaze and Build the Sauce
3
-
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
-
Simmer for 5 minutes, reducing the wine by half.
-
Stir in chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
-
Return the rabbit pieces to the pot, nestling them into the sauce.
Braise the Rabbit
4
-
Cover and reduce heat to low.
-
Simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the rabbit is tender and the meat is easily pulled from the bone.
Prepare the Mustard Sauce
5
-
Remove the rabbit pieces and set aside.
-
Discard the bay leaves.
-
Increase the heat to medium and stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and whole grain mustard.
-
Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
-
Return the rabbit to the pot, spooning the sauce over the meat to coat.
Serve
6
-
Transfer the rabbit to a serving platter and spoon the mustard sauce over the top.
-
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
-
Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Tips and Variations
7
-
For Extra Flavor: Add 1/4 cup of brandy or cognac when deglazing the pan.
-
For a Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mustard sauce.
-
Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream.
-
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Freezing: The braised rabbit can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Ingredients
For the Rabbit
1 whole rabbit (2-3 lbs), cut into 6-8 pieces
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Sauce
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 bay leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon zest, for brightness
Directions
Prepare the Rabbit
1
-
In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and black pepper.
-
Dredge the rabbit pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
-
Heat olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Sear the rabbit pieces for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
-
Transfer the browned rabbit to a plate and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics
2
-
In the same pot, add the sliced onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
-
Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Deglaze and Build the Sauce
3
-
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
-
Simmer for 5 minutes, reducing the wine by half.
-
Stir in chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
-
Return the rabbit pieces to the pot, nestling them into the sauce.
Braise the Rabbit
4
-
Cover and reduce heat to low.
-
Simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the rabbit is tender and the meat is easily pulled from the bone.
Prepare the Mustard Sauce
5
-
Remove the rabbit pieces and set aside.
-
Discard the bay leaves.
-
Increase the heat to medium and stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and whole grain mustard.
-
Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
-
Return the rabbit to the pot, spooning the sauce over the meat to coat.
Serve
6
-
Transfer the rabbit to a serving platter and spoon the mustard sauce over the top.
-
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
-
Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Tips and Variations
7
-
For Extra Flavor: Add 1/4 cup of brandy or cognac when deglazing the pan.
-
For a Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mustard sauce.
-
Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream.
-
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Freezing: The braised rabbit can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Braised Rabbit with Mustard Sauce
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