Lapin à la Moutarde Recipe – French Special
Lapin à la Moutarde, or “Rabbit with Mustard,” is a classic French dish renowned for its rich and tangy flavor. This dish features rabbit cooked in a creamy mustard sauce, which is both flavorful and elegant. Traditionally, rabbit is used, but you can substitute with chicken if rabbit is not available. This dish pairs beautifully with potatoes, rice, or crusty bread, making it a versatile and sophisticated choice for a special meal.
- Prep Time20 min
- Cook Time1 hr
- Total Time1 hr 20 min
For the Rabbit:
- 1 whole rabbit, cut into pieces (or 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs if substituting)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Garnish (optional): Fresh parsley, chopped
Lapin à la Moutarde Recipe Ingredients:
Prepare Rabbit: Season rabbit pieces with salt and pepper. Optionally marinate with Dijon mustard for added flavor.
Brown Rabbit: Heat olive oil and brown rabbit pieces on all sides (5-7 minutes per side). Set aside.
Make Sauce: Sauté onions in butter, add garlic, then pour in white wine and reduce. Add broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Return rabbit to the skillet.
Simmer: Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until rabbit is tender.
Finish Sauce: Remove rabbit, stir in heavy cream, and thicken with a flour slurry if needed. Season to taste.
Serve: Return rabbit to the skillet, garnish with parsley, and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Recipe Notes:
Rabbit Substitute: Use chicken thighs or drumsticks if rabbit is unavailable.
Mustard Levels: Adjust mustard to taste; more Dijon for mild, more whole-grain for a spicier flavor.
Wine Choice: Use dry white wine; if unavailable, substitute with chicken broth or a splash of vermouth.
Thickening Sauce: Use a flour slurry or reduce the sauce by simmering uncovered for a thicker consistency.
Dish Appeal: Lapin à la Moutarde is a flavorful and elegant dish perfect for impressing at dinner.
