Braised Rabbit with Caramelized Radicchio and Salsa Verde

Ingredients

• 2 whole rabbits, cut into thigh sized pieces
• 4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon minced thyme
• 1 tablespoon minced oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• 4 generous tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary
• 2 whole red chiles
• 1 1/2 cups black olives
• 1 bottle white wine
• 4 cups chicken stock
• Parsley, for garnish
• Caramelized Radicchio with Salsa Verde, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Dredge the rabbit in the seasoned flour and set aside.

In a large pot, fry the olive oil, garlic, rosemary and chilli to infuse the oil with their flavours. Remove the rosemary and chilli and set aside. Place the seasoned rabbit pieces in the pan and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, on both sides, until the meat is golden brown. Place the reserved rosemary, whole chillies and garlic back into the pan and add the olives, wine and chicken stock. Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.

When cooked, remove the rabbit from the pot with a slotted spoon and place on a platter. Reduce the remaining liquid on a high heat until it coats the back of the spoon and pour over the rabbit platter. Garnish with parsley. Serve with Caramelized Radicchio and Salsa Verde.

Caramelized Radicchio with Salsa Verde:

• 4 heads Traviso raddichio
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1 cup
• 3 cups flat leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup capers
• 3 anchovy fillets
• 1 lemon, juiced

Slice the radicchio heads in half and saute in 2 tablespoons olive oil over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping periodically.

In the meantime blend together the parsley, capers, anchovies, lemon and 1 cup olive oil in a blender. Drizzle the salsa verde over the cooked radicchio and serve with the rabbit.