Rabbit and Onion Stew (Kouneli Stifado)

Name: Rabbit and Onion Stew (Kouneli Stifado)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 2 lb. pearl onions, root ends trimmed; 1 rabbit (about 3 lbs.), cut into 8 pieces; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 ⁄ 2 cup olive oil; 1 lb. medium tomatoes, roughly chopped; 1 ⁄ 2 cup chicken broth; 1 tbsp. tomato paste; 12 prunes; 6 cloves; 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; 3 dried bay leaves; 2 small sprigs fresh rosemary; 1 (2") stick cinnamon; Flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Serves
serves 4

TODD COLEMAN

Sweetened with prunes and studded with pearl onions, this country-style rabbit stew is a home-cooked specialty on Crete.

Ingredients

2 lb. pearl onions, root ends trimmed
1 rabbit (about 3 lbs.), cut into 8 pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¹⁄₂ cup olive oil
1 lb. medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth
1 tbsp. tomato paste
12 prunes
6 cloves
5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
3 dried bay leaves
2 small sprigs fresh rosemary
1 (2") stick cinnamon
Flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Step 1

Bring a 4-qt. pot of water to a boil. Add onions and cook for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions to a large bowl of ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain onions and, using a small knife, remove skins; set aside.

Step 2

Season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 5-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, add the rabbit and cook, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer rabbit to a plate; set aside. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, prunes, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, and cinnamon. Nestle the rabbit in the pot, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until rabbit is very tender, about 45 minutes.

Step 3

Transfer rabbit to a large platter. Set a medium strainer over a 1-qt. saucepan. Strain the cooking liquid, discarding bay leaves and rosemary. Transfer the onions and prunes to the platter. Simmer the strained sauce over medium-high heat until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Skim excess fat from surface, season sauce with salt and pepper, and spoon over rabbit. Serve stew garnished with parsley.

Bring a 4-qt. pot of water to a boil. Add onions and cook for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions to a large bowl of ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain onions and, using a small knife, remove skins; set aside.
Season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 5-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, add the rabbit and cook, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer rabbit to a plate; set aside. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, prunes, cloves, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, and cinnamon. Nestle the rabbit in the pot, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until rabbit is very tender, about 45 minutes.
Transfer rabbit to a large platter. Set a medium strainer over a 1-qt. saucepan. Strain the cooking liquid, discarding bay leaves and rosemary. Transfer the onions and prunes to the platter. Simmer the strained sauce over medium-high heat until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Skim excess fat from surface, season sauce with salt and pepper, and spoon over rabbit. Serve stew garnished with parsley.

Pairing Note: A red wine with a touch of sweetness works well with this entree; I like the 2008 Agiorgitiko by Gaia ($25) with its pure cherry tones. — David Rosengarten.