Rabbit Hunter’s Style

Ingredients

• 1 (2.5-3 lb)  rabbit, cut into 8 pieces, rinsed, and patted dry

• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 4 slices bacon
• 4 shallots, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil
• 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Directions

1. 1

   Season the rabbit liberally with salt and pepper; in a large skillet, cook the bacon over med-high heat until crisp.

2. 2

   Transfer to paper towels to drain; crumble and set aside.

3. 3

   Add the rabbit to the hot bacon fat and brown on all sides.

4. 4

   Transfer to a slow cooker.

5. 5

   Add shallots and garlic to the skillet; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

6. 6

   Sprinkle with the flour, then add the wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan.

7. 7

   Add in the tomato sauce, water, thyme, and basil; bring to a boil.

8. 8

   Pour over the rabbit; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.

9. 9

   Add mushrooms to the slow cooker; cover and continue cooking on HIGH 1 ½-3 hours, until the rabbit is very tender and falling off the bone.

10. 10

    Taste and adjust seasonings to taste; serve garnished with parsley and crumbled bacon.