Lapin aux Pruneaux
Belgian Rabbit Stew with Prunes
A rich and flavorful Belgian stew featuring tender rabbit meat braised in dark Belgian beer with sweet prunes, onions, and aromatic herbs. This dish embodies the comforting and hearty nature of traditional Belgian cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cut into pieces Whole rabbit(approximately 1.5 kg)
- 1 tsp Salt(per kg of meat)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 125 g All-purpose flour
- 60 g Butter
- 3 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 500 ml Dark Belgian beer(such as Chimay, Leffe, or similar)
- 200 g Prunes(pitted, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes)
- 3 large Bay leaves
- 4 fresh Thyme sprigs
- 10 ml Red wine vinegar
- 10 g Sugar
- 1 pinch Nutmeg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the rabbit pieces generously with salt and pepper. Dredge the pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.
💡 Tip: Ensure all pieces are evenly coated in flour. - 2
Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the rabbit pieces on all sides until golden. Remove the rabbit from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Deglaze the pot with the dark Belgian beer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Using a wooden spoon helps to scrape up all the flavorful bits. - 5
Return the browned rabbit pieces to the pot. Add the bay leaves, thyme sprigs, red wine vinegar, sugar, and nutmeg. Add enough water to almost cover the rabbit pieces.
- 6
Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for about 2 hours, or until the rabbit is very tender. Stir occasionally.
- 7
Add the soaked and drained prunes to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- 8
Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened. If it's too thin, you can simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce it.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an even richer flavor, marinate the rabbit pieces in the beer with onions, herbs, and a splash of vinegar overnight before cooking.
- ✓Serve with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or stoemp (Belgian mashed potatoes with vegetables).
- ✓A good quality dark Belgian beer is essential for the depth of flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of mustard to the sauce for a slight tang.
- Include a diced apple in the stew for a touch of sweetness and acidity.
- For a thicker sauce, you can create a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the simmering stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.