Rabbit With Cider in Prunes

Ingredients

• 4 rabbit joints
• 1 tablespoon seasoned flour
• 225 g streaky bacon or pancetta
• 1-2 tablespoon oil
• 2 large onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced to form crescents
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 300 ml stock
• 1 bunch herbs (parsley, thyme, bay leaf)
• salt & pepper
• 110 g pitted prunes
• whipping cream (optional)
• butter (optional)
• 300 ml cider or white wine

Directions

1. 1

   Dust rabbit joints in flour.

2. 2

   Wrap each piece in strip of bacon, securing with toothpick.

3. 3

   Heat oil in large saucepan.

4. 4

   Gently sauté onion & garlic.

5. 5

   Transfer to flameproof casserole dish.

6. 6

   Brown rabbit in frypan.

7. 7

   Add these to casserole.

8. 8

   Pour cider (or wine) & stock over rabbit.

9. 9

   Add herbs & seasoning.

10. 10

    Gently heat until barely simmering.

11. 11

    Cover & continue to simmer very gently for 1 - 1 1/2 hours until rabbit is tender.

12. 12

    Add prunes 15 minutes before time is up.

13. 13

    To serve place rabbit pieces on shallow platter.

14. 14

    Quickly boil the sauce to reduce & thicken.

15. 15

    Stir in 1 - 2 Tblsp of cream OR butter if using.

16. 16

    Pour sauce all over the rabbit and strew with croutons & chopped parsley.

17. 17

    Serve.