Rabbit Casserole

Rabbit and smoked bacon casserole, flavored with chocolate, vegetables, and potatoes, then garnished with croutons and fresh parsley. The chocolate is optional, but adds a sophisticated twist to the flavors.

• Preparation Time: 60 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 1112 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 leek, chopped
• 3 slices white bread
• 3 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 2 (2 pound) rabbits, dressed and deboned, bones reserved
• 1 tablespoon mirepoix base
• 1 turnip, diced
• 2 medium potatoes - peeled and cubed
• 0.5 onion, chopped
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 pound smoked bacon, cubed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Season rabbit bones with mirepoix base, and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish or similar. Roast for 30 minutes, or until browned and fragrant.

Step 2

Remove rabbit bones to a saucepan, and add enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat until the liquid is reduced by half to provide a stock for the recipe. This will take up to 30 minutes depending on the size of your pan.

Step 3

Mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Coat rabbit pieces with the seasoned flour. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the dish used to bake the rabbit bones. Cook rabbit pieces over medium-high heat, or in the oven, just until evenly browned on the outside.

Step 4

Remove rabbit pieces, and add the carrots, onion, leek, turnip and potatoes. Add bacon, and if necessary, a little more oil. Place the rabbit pieces over the vegetables. Mix together your homemade rabbit stock and tomato puree; pour into the baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil or a lid. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 5

Bake the rabbit casserole for about 1 hour, or until rabbit is cooked through. Adjust the seasonings to taste. If you wish to use the chocolate, mix it in at this time.

Step 6

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Trim the crusts from the bread slices, and slice in half diagonally or into cubes. Fry bread in oil until lightly browned.

Step 7

Serve casserole in the pan, topped with fried bread (or croutons) and sprinkled with chopped parsley.