Rabbit Provencale Recipes

Steps:

• Whisk water, apple cider vinegar, wine, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder together for the brine. Place rabbit in a 1-gallon plastic resealable bag. Pour brine over the rabbit and seal. Lay flat and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Combine salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and parsley flakes in a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
• Remove rabbit from brine and discard brine. Rinse rabbit thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Spread the rub over all surfaces of the rabbit. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Remove rabbit from refrigerator 1 hour before placing on the smoker to allow meat to come to room temperature.
• Preheat an electric smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Smoke rabbit for 2 1/2 hours. Wrap in aluminum foil and smoke until tender, about 1 hour more.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, and rabbit pieces. Fry slowly until opaque but not brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn often, being careful not to pierce skin.
• Add brandy and cook for 1 minute. Add wine. The meat should be covered halfway with liquid; if not, add water. Add salt, pepper, and herbs and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and cover pot.
• Meanwhile, using a mortar and pestle, crush nuts and fried bread to a rough paste. Stir into pot and continue to cook for 45 minutes, or until rabbit is tender.

Steps:

• Cut the rabbit into 9 pieces (or ask your butcher to) as follows: with a sharp cleaver, cut the saddle (center portion) into 3 pieces, leaving the kidneys attached. Cut the front portion (front legs) in half through the backbone. Chop each hind leg into 2 pieces. Reserve the liver and heart to sauté as a snack.
• Heat .25 inch of olive oil in a Dutch oven or deep, wide heavy skillet over medium heat. Season the rabbit pieces with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with flour. Lightly brown the rabbit for about 3 minutes on both sides, working in batches. Drain on kitchen towels, then transfer to a baking dish in one layer. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Pour off the used oil, wipe out the pan and add 2 tablespoons fresh oil. Heat to medium-high, add the onions and cook till soft, about 5 minutes. Add the leek, garlic, rosemary and mushrooms. Season generously with salt and pepper, and add red pepper flakes to taste. Cook for 2 minutes more, stirring.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and wine, and let the mixture reduce for 1 minute. Add the broth, bring to a simmer, taste and adjust seasonings.
• Ladle the mixture evenly over the rabbit. Cover the dish, and bake for 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.