Italian Rabbit Recipe - Braised Rabbit | Hank Shaw (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak rabbit before cooking? ›

A Brine Keeps the Rabbit Moist

And while the combination seasons the rabbit nicely, the buttermilk and salt give you a little wiggle room to ensure that the cooked rabbit doesn't dry out.

Notoriously tricky to cook, the lean flesh of rabbit can result in dry, tough meat. Slow cooking rabbit is one of your safest bets for a good result – cooking at a low heat over long period of time, submerged in a liquid, is great for bringing out the best in this delicate meat.

Rabbit stew

This dish is a classic and is popular in many countries around the world. The meat is slow-cooked in a rich broth with vegetables and herbs, resulting in a flavorful and tender dish.

Pour in 350ml of water, bring to the boil, then simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes. When the time's up, pour in the balsamic and add the honey. Cook for another 30 minutes, or until the rabbit is soft and tender and the liquid has reduced to a dark, thick, flavourful coating, stirring occasionally.

Marinating the rabbit for 2 hours is actually ideal since the marinade will have more time to permeate and flavor the meat. Preheat the oven to 425º. Prepare an ovenproof frying pan by adding the butter to it and warming it over medium-high heat.

One of the best ways to cook rabbit without it becoming dry is to use a slow cooking method, such as braising or stewing. This helps retain moisture and tenderizes the meat. You can also consider marinating the rabbit beforehand to add flavor and moisture.

Marinating the rabbit in buttermilk for two to eight hours helps to tenderize the meat and add flavor and moisture to the finished product. Start the recipe with a buttermilk soak. The enzymes and acids in buttermilk help to both tenderize and add flavor and moisture to the lean rabbit meat.

In order to tenderize the meat, we are going to marinate the rabbit overnight. For the deep fried rabbit, I prepared a buttermilk base with some rosemary and thyme. The recipe below will give you the exact ingredients. Make sure it soaks for a minimum of 12 hours, but 24 is better.

Typical menus in Italy feature rabbit in cacciatore, ragu, and lasagna. Because rabbit meat can also be dry, it is often found in stews or recipes that involve simmering or braising in an aromatic broth.

Why is rabbit not a popular meat? ›

Rabbit's low popularity also stems from the agricultural industry as a whole. Many farm animals had dual purposes or were low maintenance to raise and breed, making them staples of the agricultural industry. Chickens provide eggs, pigs live off waste products and scraps, and cows provide milk.

dd the rabbit pieces and saute over medium heat until rabbit is golden. Sprinkle on the flour and continue to brown rabbit for another 5 minutes or so, then add the beef broth, red wine, thyme, parsley and bay leaves. Cover and simmer over low heat for about an hour, adding more broth if necessary.

The milk/vinegar mix (similar to buttermilk) will help to brine/pre-season the meat and impart moisture, while keeping the meat tender. Once your rabbit is soaking in the fridge, prepare your dredge. Mix all ingredients and run them through a sifter if you so desire, otherwise mix until hom*ogeneous.

To marinate the rabbit, mix in buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Let the rabbit marinate in the fridge for about 4-12 hours.

The meat is slightly darker and has more flavor, but can also be slightly tougher,” says Christopher Eley, who explains that the best way to prepare a wild rabbit is to soak it in either a saltwater solution or buttermilk. Saltwater will draw out any remaining blood and start to tenderize it.

Let them soak for 8-24 hours.

Damp Bunnies Can Become Ill

Wet fur can cause hypothermia quickly, especially if you use cold water. In addition, if water gets into your rabbit's nose or ears, it can cause an ear infection, which can be both painful and serious. Flushing the ears can also cause irritated skin and lead to a bacterial infection.