Rabbit and pearl barley stew
This rich and hearty rabbit stew makes for perfect winter eating. Rabbit is inexpensive and lean, making it great for stewing slowly.
Ingredients
- 1 wild rabbit, cut into serving pieces
- seasoned flour, for dusting
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 150²µ/5½´Ç³ú pancetta
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 small fennel bulb, sliced into 5mm/¼in thick slices
- 600ml/1 pint white wine
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 2 tbsp pearl barley
Method
Dust the rabbit pieces with seasoned flour, then shake off any excess. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the rabbit and fry for 3-4 minutes on both sides, or until golden-brown all over. Remove and set aside.
Add the pancetta to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes, then add the onion, garlic and the sliced fennel. Fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the fennel is softened. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Return the rabbit to the pan together with the wine, tomato purée and the rosemary. If the rabbit is not completely covered with the liquid, top up with water. Bring to the boil, then stir in the pearl barley, cover and simmer for one hour and 15 minutes, or until the pearl barley is tender.
To serve, spoon into serving bowls.