Rabbit with mustard & bacon

4 servings 400 kcal or less challenge crème fraîche dijon mustard dinner party game mains mustard over an hour pancetta potato potatoes rabbit rabbits show off cooking tarragon technique

N/A

Source

Ingredients

50g butter , softened

small handful parsley and tarragon leaves, chopped

1 small garlic clove , crushed

grated zest ½ lemon

2 rabbit legs (see tips below)

10 slices pancetta from a pack

3 tbsp crème fraîche

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp grain mustard

lemon juice

steamed, peeled new potatoes , to serve

Method

Mash the butter with the herbs, garlic and lemon zest, then chill. This can be done up to a day in advance. Use a small sturdy knife to scrape the meat away from the thigh bone part of the rabbit leg. Try and create a pocket around the bone rather than cutting into the actual meat. When you get to the joint, cut or snap the bone away.

Halve the butter, roll into two logs, then stuff into the cavity of each rabbit leg. Wrap the slices of pancetta around each leg so that they join underneath. The rabbit can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept in the fridge.

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Place the rabbit on a shallow roasting tray and roast for 20-30 mins (see tip below), then leave to rest for 5 mins. While the rabbit is cooking, make the sauce. Heat the crème fraîche with both mustards and simmer for 2-3 mins until thickened slightly. Season to taste, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and set aside.

To serve, spoon some sauce onto each plate and carve the rabbit into thick slices. Arrange the rabbit on top of the sauce with some steamed new potatoes on the side.