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Hasenpfeffer Rabbit Stew

A comforting German stew with tender rabbit, rich spices, and a fragrant sauce, perfect for chilly evenings.
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: German
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 750 ml dry red wine Choose a good quality wine for better flavor.
  • 120 ml red wine vinegar
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 8-10 juniper berries, crushed
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 6 whole allspice berries
Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 kg rabbit, cut into pieces High-quality rabbit preferred.
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 40 g plain gingerbread cookies, crushed To thicken sauce and add flavor.
Seasoning
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

Preparation & Marinating
  1. In a large bowl, combine the red wine, vinegar, chopped onion, carrots, celery, juniper berries, bay leaves, cloves, and allspice. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
  2. Add the rabbit pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 48 to 72 hours, turning the meat daily.
  3. After marinating, remove the rabbit from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Strain the marinade through a sieve, reserving the liquid and discarding the solids.
Cooking
  1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the rabbit pieces in batches, browning them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
  2. Once browned, add the reserved vegetables from the marinade to the pot and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Return the browned rabbit to the pot and pour the strained marinade over it. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and braise for 90 to 120 minutes.
  4. In the final 20 minutes of cooking, stir in the crushed gingerbread cookies.
Serving
  1. Let the dish rest for 10 to 15 minutes off the heat before serving. Serve traditionally with dumplings or boiled potatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Notes

For a spicier version, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade. Consider marinading a day before to save time and enhance flavor.