Sorry Stix didn't mean to leave you out...
Here we go - The Hare - quite a favourite game animal - is not just a very big rabbit. It's a different species and quite unlike rabbit in texture and flavour. The forequarters are most suitable for casseroles or potting, the saddle and hind legs for roasting, the and the body's covered in a thick, shiny membrane and needs removing with a sharp knife before cooking. Hares also freeze well. just defrost in the fridge before cooking (about 12 - 16 hours).
ROAST SADDLE OF HARE. - serves 4-6. Serve with Potatoes, beans, carrots etc or noodles.
[*] saddle and hind legs of 1 hare
[*] salt
[*] freshly ground black pepp
[* ]4 thin slices of pork or ham fat
[*]2 tbsp melted goose fat or vegetable oil
[*]1/2 cup beef stock
[*] 1/2 cup port
[*] watercress or oregano
Method1. Preheat oven to 190 - 200 (Mod. Hot). 170 - 190 (fan forced) C.
2. Using sharp knife, remove membrane from body etc., season legs and body lightly with salt and black pepper.
3. Place in roasting tray/dish, cover with pork fat and pour melted fat/oil over.
4. Roast in centre of oven for 30 minutes.
5. In small pan mix stock with port, bring to boil
6. Remove fat from hare, discard , pour port mixture over and cook for a further 15 minutes.
7.Transfer hare to a heated serving dish, keep hot.
8. reduce the pan juices rapidly on stove top over high heat until syrupy and glaze hare with sauce.
9. Garnish with org before serving with a gravy.
PAPRIKA HARE..1.Cut the meat from the saddle and hind legs into thick slices
2. 1/2 tsp salt and 3-4 tsp Hungarian Paprika mixed together in a large paper bag.
3. 2 tbsp unsalted butter or goose fat.
4. 2 large onions roughly chopped
5. 1 -1 1/2 cups water
6. 500g noodles
7. 1 tbsp vegetable oil
8. 1 tbsp butter or olive oil.
9. 1 cup of sour cream.
METHOD1. Add the sliced hare to paper bag with salt/paprika mix, shake well to coat all sides with seasoning.
2. Melt the fat/butter in a heavy based pan and saute the onions until golden. Reduce heat a little & brown the hare slices on all sides
3. Add 1 cup water and shake pan, cover tightly. Simmer gently for 40 - 50 minutes, check regularly adding a little water from time to time if the hare looks dry.
4. Cook noodles as per directions, strain and toss with the butter or olive oil. keep warm/
5. When the hare is cooked, add sour cream to pan, stir together and check seasoning.
6. Serve on the bed of noodles.
Cheers,