Rabbit stew

• prune↗140g g
• brandy↗50ml ml
• soft brown sugar↗50g g
• rabbits↗2

  jointed

• plain flour↗

  for dusting

• vegetable oil↗1 tbsp tbsp
• streaky bacon↗3 rashers smoked

  sliced into thin strips

• carrots↗2

  chopped

• onion↗1

  chopped

• celery↗2

  sticks, chopped

• garlic clove↗1

  crushed

• thyme↗2

  sprigs

• bay leaf↗1
• red wine↗150ml ml

  the best you can afford

• chicken stock↗250ml ml
• chopped parsley

  and wild rice, to serve

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Put the prunes in a bowl with the brandy and brown sugar, stir, then set aside to soak.

2. 2

   Dust the rabbit in the flour. Heat the oil in a large flameproof dish and brown the rabbit all over until golden – you may have to do this in batches. Set the rabbit aside. Add the bacon, vegetables, garlic and herbs to the dish and fry for 5 mins until starting to colour.

3. 3

   Pour in the red wine and scrape all the goodness off the bottom of the dish. Add the chicken stock and put the rabbit back in the dish with the boozy prunes, then cover and cook for 2 hrs, stirring occasionally, until the rabbit is totally tender. Serve scattered with parsley and wild rice on the side.