Stoofpotje van Konijn met Appelstroop
A hearty and flavorful rabbit stew, slow-cooked with traditional Dutch ingredients and a touch of sweetness from apple syrup. This dish embodies Dutch comfort food, perfect for colder months.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 whole Rabbit(cut into pieces (about 1.2-1.5 kg))
- 70 g All-purpose flour
- 50 g Butter
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 large Onions(halved)
- 4 medium Shallots(peeled and halved)
- 6 medium Carrots(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 1 handful Fresh thyme
- 2 Bay leaves
- 75 cl Brown beer
- 50 cl Beef or game stock
- 2 tbsp Apple syrup (appelstroop)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Pat the rabbit pieces dry. Lightly season with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour.
💡 Tip: Ensure rabbit pieces are dry for better browning. - 2
Melt butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the rabbit pieces on all sides. Remove rabbit from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the halved onion, shallots, and carrot chunks to the pot. Sauté for about 9 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
- 4
Return the rabbit pieces to the pot. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
💡 Tip: The herbs will infuse the stew with aroma. - 5
Pour in the brown beer and stock. Stir in the apple syrup. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover the pot with a lid.
💡 Tip: Apple syrup adds a traditional Dutch sweetness and depth of flavor. - 6
Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the rabbit is very tender and falling off the bone.
- 7
Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
💡 Tip: Skimming fat results in a cleaner, richer flavor. - 8
Serve hot, traditionally with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using brown beer adds a malty depth to the stew.
- ✓Apple syrup (appelstroop) is a key ingredient for authentic Dutch flavor.
- ✓Slow cooking is essential for tender rabbit meat.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add dried apricots or prunes for extra sweetness and texture.
- Include a diced apple in the stew during the last hour of cooking.
- For a richer sauce, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry before serving.