The Poultry Keeper

mcleod-girls · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:49 am Post subject: Rabbit recipe needed

anyone any suggestions what to do with a rabbit? We were given it yesterday, skinned it etc last night, its in the fridge just now. Not sure if we should have hug it first? (that should have read HUNG in case you think we had gone very sentimental!) Much easier to do than chicken, although we were quite attached to the surplus cockerel we dispatched at weekend, daughter cried Sad

, but the deed is done. Then this rabbit turned up ... have never cooked one before, I was thinking of slow pot roasting, which I seem to do with everything. any advice welcome Confused

mojo · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

here we go.......... hang today (in fridge) then am tomorrow ......joint.....put in pan and brown well..........put in stockpot.............deglase pan using cider......add to stockpot......put asstd root veg in stockpot(try to include leeks) plus litre of cider and 2 thin sliced apples(no pips but with skin) bring to boil............simmer 2 hours. in oven ........add peas etc for ten mins.......serve with spuds done how you prefer.............enjoy .............let us know how you get on .......luv mojo

Lisa · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

We often get rabbit when the local butcher has it - its so cheap compared to free range/organic chicken. Its always skinned and gutted. I don't think you hang it with the fur on - thought it should be skinned and gutted pronto after killing (looked into it a bit when I wondered if I could do my own rabbits skins for dog training... Confused

)

I tend to substitute it for chicken either in portions, or cut off bones in bite size pieces.

Tastes more meaty than chicken. I think it can be a bit dry, so casseroles work quite well. Quite like it with onions, mushrooms, celery, parsely, bit of bacon, stock, slosh of white wine...

Hmm.... getting hungry now Very Happy

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2128 Location: North Cornwall

I do them much the same as mojo but my Dad, who made the most amazing rabbit stew, always soaked the jointed rabbit in milk for a couple of hour, I dont know why he did Confused

but I do the same Laughing

. Near the end of cooking time I put dumplings in, OMG I'm just going to have to cook one now, and I'm supposed to be on a diet, now look what you've done Laughing

Auntie Noo · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 555 Location: Guildford

Agree with everyone else really. A slow cooked casserole is the way to go - great if you can make it with cider. Try to put a tiny bit of something sweet in - if you don't like fruit (I have an aversion to fruit in my main course) then just a tea spoon of honey, or brown sugar. And cook it slow. It's lovely!!!!

CP · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2128 Location: North Cornwall

My Dad used some of the milk mixed with flour to thicken the stew at the end. He used lots of carrots and they made it lovely and sweet like Auntie Noo said. Ive never made it as well as he did, but we love rabbit, even tho OH insists on telling everyone 'We're having vermin for dinner tonight' Laughing

But he always eats it. Any left over makes a smashing pie next day

Edited to add, Brought back lots of memories this, and just remembered, my Dad used to toss a coin to see which one of us had the kidneys Laughing

Dog gets them now Laughing

Lisa · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

Lucky dog! Our rabbit never comes with any of the giblets (are they still giblets if they come from a rabbit instead of poultry?)

mcleod-girls · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

dog has just had giblets for her tea! Will cook it tomorrow, like the sound of the apples mojo, thanks everyone Very Happy

mcleod-girls · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

ps I mean the rabbit, not the dog Confused

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2128 Location: North Cornwall

hoosier · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Was this a domestic rabbit raised for meat or wild rabbit killed in hunt?

mcleod-girls · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject:

Wild rabbit, a gift from oh friend.

Auntie Noo · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 555 Location: Guildford

Hope you are enjoying it about now!!!

thelongwayround · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 497 Location: Camborne, Cornwall

Done survival weeks with groups of young people as part of my job, and must say that rabbit is best thread onto a stick and cooked whole over an open wood fire.