kitchen favorites
Sample A Taste Of
Tuscany
AT HOME TONIGHT
Rabbit ragu with pappardelle is a classic Tuscan dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner party or family gathering . This tender meat pairs perfectly with the rich tomato sauce and the wide pappardelle pasta noodles , or you can use bone-in chicken . Here ’ s how to make the dish :
TUSCAN RABBIT RAGU
Preparation time : 20-30 minutes Cooking time : 2 hours Serves : 6
INGREDIENTS
• 2 lbs ( 0.9 kg ) rabbit , cleaned and cut into pieces ( or bonein chicken pieces )
• 2 tbsp ( 30 ml ) olive oil
• 1 onion , chopped
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 carrots , diced
• 2 celery stalks , diced
• 1 cup ( 250 ml ) red wine
• 2 cups ( 500 ml ) tomato sauce
• 1 cup ( 250 ml ) chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound ( 0.45 kg ) pappardelle pasta
• Fresh parsley , chopped ( for garnish )
DIRECTIONS
1 . Heat a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat . Add the rabbit pieces and oil and cook until browned on all sides , about 5 to 7 minutes . Remove the meat and set aside .
2 . Add the onion , garlic , carrots and celery to the pot and cook until softened , about 5 minutes .
3 . Pour in the red wine and cook until it has reduced by half , about 5 to 7 minutes .
4 . Add the tomato sauce and chicken stock to the pot and stir to combine .
5 . Return the rabbit pieces to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer . Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 1½ to 2 hours , or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone .
6 . Remove the rabbit pieces from the sauce and shred the meat with a fork . Return the shredded rabbit to the sauce and stir to combine .
7 . Pour the rabbit sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to combine .
8 . While the rabbit is cooking , bring a large pot of salted water to a boil . Add the pappardelle pasta and cook until al dente , about 8 to 10 minutes .
9 . Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl .
10 . Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot .
Pair the ragu with a full-bodied Sangiovese wine , stream the latest movie featuring Tuscan landscapes and enjoy . If you ’ re suitably inspired to seek out the real thing , you can jump on a plane to Rome , rent the Villa Il Padronale near Cortona for a week and head to the nearest trattoria for a delicious meal .
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