Braised Rabbit with Mustard Sauce
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
4 servings