Braised Rabbit (or Chicken) in the "Style of the Hunter" - Coniglio alla Cacciatore

photo: Rachel Eats

Braised Rabbit (or Chicken) in the Style of the Hunter

 Rabbit (or coniglio) can be found in butchers & markets throughout Italy. Italians find it savory, lean, inexpensive and perfect for cooking alla cacciatora (in the style of the hunter).  Rabbit is a nice, light white meat - in this recipe we braise it in diluted vinegar (acid) which breaks down the meat - leaving it succulent and falling off the bone.  I'm not sure why rabbit gets such a bad rap -maybe too many people associate it with "Bugs Bunny" or the "Easter Rabbit" or had one as a pet (so did I) and there you go...no more tasty rabbit on the menu. Give it a try, it's absolutely delicious especially with a side of roasted potatoes with rosemary!!

Braised Rabbit (or Chicken) in the Style of the Hunter
Coniglio alla Cacciatore

Serves 4

1 rabbit or chicken cut in pieces (chicken will take longer to cook)
4-5 cloves of garlic whole, peeled
2-4  anchovy fillets
spoonful of capers
small handful of sage
olive oil
white wine vinegar
water
salt/ pepper
pinch of chopped parsley


If using rabbit soak in cold water for a couple of hours to extract any blood. Change the water once during this process.

Clean and pat dry rabbit/chicken and then season with salt and pepper.  In a heavy bottom pan over medium high heat sear rabbit/chicken in a few glugs of olive oil.   About halfway through the searing process once you have turned all the meat over, add in your sage and garlic.   

In a glass combine 1/2 cup white wine vinegar with 1/2 cup water.  Once the meat is seared, turn down the heat and add vinegar mixture to the pan.  Cover the pan with a parchment paper lid (allowing some of the liquid to cook out) and braise slowly, 30 to 50 minutes depending on the size of rabbit/chicken pieces.  Give everything a turn every 10 minutes or so.  Be sure to control pan heat and continue to add vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio as needed to keep the pan from going dry.  

Once meat is tender transfer to a warm serving plate.  Remove garlic cloves from the pan  and discard (or just mush them into the pan sauce if you like.) Chop anchovy and dissolve into the pan and finally in go the capers and parsley. Check Seasoning and pour over warm meat with a drizzle of good olive oil.  Serve.

(Pairs perfectly with roasted potatoes)

Rabbit Hunter's Style ~ Coniglio alla Cacciatore

Coniglio alla Cacciatora (Rabbit in the style of the Hunter) - Version 1

Rabbit 3-3.5 lbs

1/2 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic

2-3 sprigs of sage

salt & pepper

2 cups wine vinegar

3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped

2-3 tablespoons capers

Clean the rabbit & cut into serving pieces. Wash is carefully & wipe dry.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan & sauté the rabbit pieces with garlic & sage until brown all over. Sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. Dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water & pour half of it into the pan.

Cover, lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes, adding most of the remaining vinegar, a little at a time, as the rabbit dries out.

When the rabbit is tender, transfer the pieces to a deep heated serving dish. Keep hot. Discard the garlic cloves. Stir the anchovies and capers into the sauces, and continue cooking & stirring until the anchovies are reduced to a paste.

Bring to a simmer and stir over a moderate heat until the sauces has thickened. Pour over the rabbit & serve immediately.

NOTE: Best served with roasted potatoes - patate al forno!