Recipes

Rabbit and Onion Stew (Kouneli Stifado)

  • Serves

    serves 4

TODD COLEMAN

Sweetened with prunes and studded with pearl onions, this country-style rabbit stew is a home-cooked specialty on Crete.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. pearl onions, root ends trimmed
  • 1 rabbit (about 3 lbs.), cut into 8 pieces
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 cup olive oil
  • 1 lb. medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 12 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 12 prunes
  • 6 cloves
  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 3 dried bay leaves
  • 2 small sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 (2") stick cinnamon
  • Flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a 4-qt. pot of water to a boil. Add onions and cook for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions to a large bowl of ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain onions and, using a small knife, remove skins; set aside.

Step 2

Season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 5-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, add the rabbit and cook, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer rabbit to a plate; set aside. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, prunes, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, and cinnamon. Nestle the rabbit in the pot, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until rabbit is very tender, about 45 minutes.

Step 3

Transfer rabbit to a large platter. Set a medium strainer over a 1-qt. saucepan. Strain the cooking liquid, discarding bay leaves and rosemary. Transfer the onions and prunes to the platter. Simmer the strained sauce over medium-high heat until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Skim excess fat from surface, season sauce with salt and pepper, and spoon over rabbit. Serve stew garnished with parsley.

Pairing Note: A red wine with a touch of sweetness works well with this entree; I like the 2008 Agiorgitiko by Gaia ($25) with its pure cherry tones. — David Rosengarten.

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