[CH] Applewood Smoked Wabbit

Shantihhh@aol.com
Mon, 28 Feb 2000 23:46:36 EST 

I have been quiet on list of late and thought it time to post a recipe.  Hey 
Doug, try this one.  The idea sorta popped into my head as my daughter's 
plane left for Hawaii.  She had two pet bunnies when she was younger and 
we're not "allowed" to serve wabbit when she's around.  :-)

Applewood Smoked Wabbit

...............  Fixed this Sunday.............

Smoked Wabbit Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon (Nieman Schell)
Get the smoker fired up.  Place presoaked Applewood chips in foil container 
that has been pierced numerous times in the bottom. (Let's the smoke 
through.)  Now go to the herb garden and pluck a few branches here and there 
of thyme, lavender, rosemary, Italian Parsley and Oregano.

Take down a small saute pan and go for it.  Oh if you haven't poured yourself 
a nice glass of vino.  Do so now!

Med red onion chopped coarsely
4 oz. Pancetta chopped coarsely
1/4 cup Italian Parsley chopped
Fresh Herb leaves:  Lavender, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme
4 cloves of garlic chopped

Fry pancetta lightly add a little olive oil, add the herbs, and garlic
Add a little of Jim's Applewood Smoked Habanero Pepper
Stir gently to keep from getting too brown

Remove extra fat from inside wabbit (this can be rendered and added to the 
above as it cooks if you want.  If they didn't steal the liver from the 
wabbit for pate (like they did with mine) cut this up and saute with the 
above.

Now take that wabbit and liberally coat his inside and outside with pureed 
Chipotle.  A brush works real good.  Place the above mixture of herbs and 
pancetta inside the cavity.  Draw the side together and skewer closed.  Now 
wrap the wabbit in slice of raw Applewood Smoked Bacon securing with small 
skewers (poultry type).  Now liberally brush once more with the pureed 
Chipotle.  You can brush him again from time to time with more Chipotle to 
kick it up a notch)

Now if you don't know about Chipotle in Adobe go the store and fetch thee 
some NOW whether you make this recipe or not.  I keep a jar of pureed 
Chipotle in the frig at all times!

Place this bacon cloaked wabbit on the smoker.   It will take between 2.5 and 
3 hours depending on the size of wabbit. 

 I served with Lemon Porcini Risotto and smoked veggies. (Leeks, Japanese 
eggplants, red onions, and one huge portabella mushroom)  

If there is any leftover wabbit it makes a great pasta sauce w/carrot, 
celery, redwine, etc ragout.


Mary-Anne