Rabbit in Cider

If you can get hold of a wild rabbit for this, so much the better.

Serves 4

Rabbit in Cider

Ingredients
2lb (900g) rabbit joints (or a medium rabbit, jointed)
1oz (25g) butter
1 tablespoon oil
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
8oz (225g) unsmoked streaky bacon, bought it possible in one piece and then cut into cubes
1 heaped tablespoon plain flour
1/2 pint (275ml) dry cider
1/2 pint (275ml) stock
1 sprig of thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
6 juniper berries, crushed
8oz (225g) dark-gilled mushrooms, sliced
salt and freshly milled black pepper

Method

Begin by heating the butter and oil in a flameproof casserole and frying the rabbit joints quickly to brown them all over. Now remove them to one side and fry the onions, garlic and bacon for about 10 minutes. Then sprinkle in the flour, stir and cook for a minute or two before gradually stirring in the cider and the stock. At this stage add the rabbit joints, together with the thyme and crushed juniper berries. Bring everything to simmering point, then add the sliced mushrooms and a seasoning of salt and freshly milled black pepper. Cover and simmer the rabbit very gently for about an hour, or until it's tender.

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