Conill amb Prunes i Pinyons (Rabbit with Prunes and Pine Nuts)
A rich and flavorful stew featuring tender rabbit meat braised with sweet prunes and toasted pine nuts. This dish embodies the rustic mountain cuisine of Andorra, combining game with dried fruits and nuts for a comforting meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Rabbit(jointed into pieces)
- 200 g Prunes(pitted)
- 50 g Pine nuts(toasted)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 250 ml Red wine(dry)
- 500 ml Chicken or rabbit broth
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Thyme(dried or a few fresh sprigs)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Flour(for dusting)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the rabbit pieces dry and lightly dust with flour, salt, and pepper.
💡 Tip: Flour helps to thicken the sauce. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the rabbit pieces on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pot; brown rabbit in batches if necessary. - 4
Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze, loosening any browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce by half.
- 5
Return the rabbit pieces to the pot. Add the pitted prunes, broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer.
- 6
Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the rabbit is very tender.
💡 Tip: The rabbit should be fork-tender. - 7
While the rabbit is simmering, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.
💡 Tip: Watch pine nuts carefully as they burn easily. - 8
Once the rabbit is tender, remove the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Stir in most of the toasted pine nuts, reserving some for garnish.
- 9
Serve hot, garnished with the remaining toasted pine nuts.
💡 Tip: This dish pairs well with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using a good quality rabbit will result in a more tender and flavorful dish.
- ✓Soaking the prunes in warm water for 15 minutes before adding can help them plump up.
- ✓Don't skip toasting the pine nuts; it significantly enhances their flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of brandy or Cognac along with the red wine for an extra layer of flavor.
- Include other root vegetables like parsnips or celery root.
- A touch of cinnamon or nutmeg can complement the prunes.