Roasted Rabbit with Basque Txakoli Wine Sauce

 

Txakoli (pronounced “chac-o-lee”) is a slightly sparkling, bright white wine produced in the Basque region of Spain that brings out the rich flavors of the rabbit in this dish. If you can’t find the traditional wine, you can substitute a semi-sparkling variety. Be careful not to overroast this dish; rabbit is a lean meat that can easily become dry. 2 large yellow onions, cut into ¼-inch slices

1 whole rabbit, cleaned, with liver and kidneys reserved

Salt

2 T. minced garlic

1 T. minced flat-leaf (Italian) parsley

5 garlic cloves, peeled

6 small red potatoes, halved

½ C. olive oil

2 T. unsalted butter

¼ C. flour

2 C. txakoli wine

1 T. black peppercorns, freshly crushed

1 C. rabbit stock or chicken stock

 

PREHEAT THE OVEN to 400°F. LINE THE BOTTOM of a roasting pan with the onion slices. Split the rabbit wide open and place it on the onion slices, belly up. Sprinkle with salt, half of the minced garlic, and half of the parsley. Put the garlic cloves, liver, kidneys, and potatoes around the rabbit. Drizzle ¼ C. of the oil over the entire contents of the pan. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes. REMOVE THE PAN from the oven and turn the rabbit over. Sprinkle with more salt and the remaining garlic, parsley, and oil. Return the pan to the oven and roast until golden, about 30 minutes. AFTER ROASTING, remove the rabbit body and the potatoes from the pan. Cut the rabbit into quarters and arrange on a platter with the potatoes. Cover with foil and keep warm. MEANWHILE, place the roasting pan on top of the stove over medium-high heat. Add the butter and caramelize the onions, kidneys, and liver until dark brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the flour, mixing well. Deglaze the pan with the wine. Season to taste with salt and add the crushed peppercorns. Add the stock and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes or until reduced by a quarter. Transfer to a food processor or food mill and purée. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Strain through a colander, then drizzle over the platter of rabbit. Serve immediately.