Rabbit Pasta with Verjus and Whole Grain Mustard

Okay, we admit it. Sometimes rabbits nibble our lettuce and vines and sometimes we nibble rabbit
  • 1 pound rabbit meat, preferably loin
  • flour
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 1/2 cup Verjus
  • 1 tablespoon shallots, finely chopped
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 teaspoons whole grain mustard
  • salt
  • black pepper, fresh ground
  • white pepper, fresh ground
  • chives, chopped for garnish

Cut the rabbit meat into strips about 1/4 inch by 2 inches. Pat the meat dry, season liberally with salt and fresh ground black pepper, dredge in flour then toss in a strainer to remove excess flour. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saute pan until almost smoking. Add some of the rabbitenough so that it cooks in a single layer without crowding. Cook, tossing lightly until browned. Repeat with the rest of the rabbit. If the pan begins to burn, wipe clean and start with fresh oil.

When all the rabbit is cooked, degrease the pan. Add the Verjus and shallots and cook until the shallots are translucent and the Verjus is reduced to a golden, syrupy consistency. Add the cream and reduce until thickened to a nice sauce. Whisk in the mustard. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground white pepper. Add the rabbit back to the sauce and toss to coat the meat.

Serve over Fettuccini with chive garnish.

Serves Four

Kim Badenhop
Fort Bragg, CA