Rabbit Fricassee With Bacon, Pearl Onions and Mushrooms Recipe

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Peel the onions by first plunging them into a pot of boiling water, boiling for 1 minute, draining in a colander, rinsing with cold water, and then cutting the tiny root ends off with a paring knife and pulling away from the peel.

2. Step 2

   Trim 1/8 inch off the bottom of the mushroom stems if they are dark, dirty or dried out. If the mushroom caps are more than 1 inch in diameter, quarter the mushrooms vertically.

3. Step 3

   Season the rabbit parts with salt and pepper, and melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet, or two skillets just large enough to hold the rabbit parts in a single layer. When the butter stops foaming, add the rabbit parts and brown on both sides for 8 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Sprinkle the flour over the rabbit and cook for 2 minutes more on each side to eliminate the flour's starchy taste.

5. Step 5

   While the rabbit parts are browning, cut the bacon slices crosswise into 1/4-inch strips and cook the strips gently over medium heat in a small skillet until they barely begin to turn crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and reserve.

6. Step 6

   Tie the parsley, thyme and bay leaf together in a piece of cheesecloth.

7. Step 7

   Pour the wine and chicken broth over the rabbit parts, and deglaze the skillet with a wooden spoon. Add the wrapped herbs, pearl onions, and mushrooms, and move them around a bit, so they're evenly arranged between the rabbit.

8. Step 8

   If you're using 2 skillets, use half the liquids, onions and mushrooms in each one and nestle half of the wrapped herbs (meaning, you'll need to wrap up 2 parcels in cheesecloth).

9. Step 9

   Bring the fricassee to a simmer over high heat, then turn the heat down to low to maintain a very gentle simmer. Simmer covered for about 15 minutes, until the rabbit feels firm to the touch.

10. Step 10

    Transfer the rabbit, onions, and mushrooms to a bowl and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Pour the liquid in the skillet into a small saucepan and gently simmer the sauce, while skimming off fat and scum, for about 10 minutes, until the sauce has a slightly syrupy consistency.

11. Step 11

    Portion out the rabbit parts onto plates, spoon each portion with sauce, mushrooms and pearl onions. Sprinkle parsley over each portion and serve at once. (Adapted from "Glorious French Food" by James Peterson, © 2002 James Peterson, John Wiley & Son Publisher.)