Rabbit is high in protein and low in fat, so it must be slowly simmered to tenderize the meat. First the rabbit is browned in olive oil. Then, the tomatoes, onion and pepper are sautéed. Finally, all ingredients including the red wine are combined in a large open pan and simmered for about an hour. The wine and vegetables thicken and become a delicious sauce. Pair with a robust Rioja wine, and serve home-fried potatoes and a green salad for a complete Spanish meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1 rabbit, cut into pieces
- 1/3 cup (41 gr) flour for dredging
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 white or yellow onion
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 3 medium cloves garlic
- 1 red pepper
- 2 Tbsp peel almonds
- 16 oz (500 ml) red wine
- 8-16 oz (250-500 ml) water
- 1/3 cup (41 gr) bread crumbs
Preparation:
Peel and chop the onion, tomatoes and pepper.
Heat a large, heavy-bottom frying pan on medium. Pour flour and salt into a plastic bag or a medium mixing bowl. Cover rabbit pieces in flour. Brown rabbit pieces on both sides. Remove and set aside.
Fry almonds in same pan as rabbit and set aside. Sauté the chopped onion in the same pan until translucent. Add whole garlic cloves, tomatoes and pepper and sauté for about 10 minutes.
Return the rabbit to the pan, and add half of the wine and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. As liquid evaporates, add half of water and rest of wine, as needed.
While rabbit is cooking, grind almonds in food processor until fine and mix with bread crumbs. Add almond mixture to rabbit and stir well. Adjust salt to taste. Continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.
More Recipes from La Rioja
- Rioja-Style Chicken Recipe - Pollo a la Riojana - Chicken and Spanish chorizo sausage stewed with sautéed peppers and garlic.
- Riojana Potato Soup Recipe – Patatas Riojanas - a Riojan classic, which is relatively simple soup that has chunks of potatoes, fresh Spanish chorizo sausages, onion, garlic and Spanish paprika.
- Spanish Chicken with White Beans Recipe - Pollo con Alubias de la Rioja - This chicken main course mixes pan-fried chicken with white beans, Serrano ham and vegetables.
- Rioja-Style Pork Chop Recipe - Chuletas de Cerdo a la Riojana - Pork chops smothered in peppers and onions in a tomato-wine sauce.
- Rioja Wine Sorbet - Sorbete de Vino Rioja - Rioja wine sorbet is refreshing, and easy to make.
