Braised Rabbit and Cherries in Beer
Adapted from More Than Gourmet
Belgians are famous for cooking with beer. They also use dried fruits, especially cherries and prunes, in stews. This sweet, rich and satisfying dish is a splendid example of how cherry beer and dried cherries marry with rabbit or other game meats. The final splash of balsamic really makes the tastes sparkle. If you fancy gamier tastes, use hare and simmer it longer until tender. Serve it over spaetzle or with boiled potatoes.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 rabbit, about 21/2 to 3 lbs., cut into 6 to 8 pieces flour for dredging + 2 tbs flour
2 tbs each unsalted butter and vegetable oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 slices, thick-sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch strips
1 large onion, cut into medium dice
1 12 oz. bottle Cherry Beer, such as John Adams
Cherry White or Belgian Kriek Lambic
1 1/2 oz Glace de Gibier Gold® (Game or Venison Stock) + 1 cup water ***
1 cup dried cherries or cherry-flavored cranberries
4 tbs chopped flat-Leaf parsley
2 tbs chopped fresh sage leaves + leaves to garnish
31/2 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, thickly sliced
1+ tbs balsamic vinegar ***
1. Dredge rabbit in flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat butter and oil in a large heavy casserole over medium-high heat. Sauté rabbit until golden brown on both sides, working in batches if necessary.
3. Remove pieces to a bowl and continue until all pieces are cooked. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
4. Add bacon and cook until pieces begin to separate.
5. Stir in onion and cook over medium heat until limp, stirring often. Return rabbit to pan.
6. Sprinkle remaining 2 tbs flour over rabbit and onions, and cook flour until lightly colored, 3 to 4 minutes, turning from time to time.
7. Slowly stir in beer, scraping up any browned cooking bits.
8. Add diluted Glace de Gibier Gold®, cherries, parsley, sage, and mushrooms.
9. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender, about 11/2 hours.
10. Stir in balsamic vinegar to taste and serve.
Cooking Tips:
***These items are all available on the www.clubsauce.com website if they cannot be purchased at your local gourmet shop.