1 3 lb Rabbit, cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons peanut ol
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 bottle dry white wine
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon wondra flour
several thyme twigs or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Italian parsley, chopped
Evenly brush one side of each rabbit piece with some of the mustard. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and butter in a large non-reactive skillet over medium heat. When the fat is hot but not smoking, add several pieces of the rabbit, mustard side down; do not crowd the pan. You will have to cook this in several batches. Cook until brown, about 10 minutes. Turn the rabbit and brush the second side with additional mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown, another 10 minutes. Transfer the rabbit to a large platter and continue cooking in this manner until all the rabbit is browned.
Add several tablespoon of the wine to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits that stick to the pan. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat. Pour in the remaining wine, the thyme, the bay leaf. Add all of the rabbit pieces. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer until the rabbit is very tender and the sauce begins to thicken, about 1 hour.
Transfer the rabbit and sauce to a warmed platter and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately, over buttered fresh noodles.
Suggested Wine: Light red wine
Serving Ideas : Buttered noodles
NOTE:
Rabbit with mustard sauce is one of the great, all-time bistro dishes. And no wonder, it’s such a mellow combination of delicate and assertive flavors. I love this version from the Cafe des Federations in Lyons, because the rabbit remains superbly moist and full-flavored. I like to serve this this with fresh noodles bathed in just a touch of sweet butter. At the Cafe des Federations they serve a young Morgon with just about everything, so feel to follow suit.