Braised Rabbit with Leeks, Rutabagas and Vin Santo

• 2 whole rabbits
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Flour, for dusting
• 6 tbsp. virgin olive oil
• 4 md. leeks, cut into 1/2-inch rounds and cleaned
• 1 lg. rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup vin santo
• 1 cup Basic Tomato Sauce (see recipe elsewhere)
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 recipe Eggplant Partafoglio (see recipe elsewhere)

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cut each rabbit into six pieces.
3. Season liberally with salt and pepper and dredge with flour.
4. In a heavy-bottom casserole (6- to 8-quart), heat virgin oil until smoking.
5. Add 4 pieces of rabbit and cook until golden brown, turning often (8 to 10 minutes).
6. Remove pieces and repeat with four more pieces.
7. Repeat again, setting rabbit aside.
8. When all rabbit is browned, add leeks and rutabaga and, stirring constantly, cook until lightly browned (5 to 7 minutes).
9. Add vin santo, Basic Tomato Sauce and chicken stock and bring to boil.
10. Submerge rabbit pieces in vegetables and liquid and cover casserole with tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.
11. Cook in oven for 2 hours, or until meat is falling off the bone.
12. Remove pan from oven and carefully remove rabbit pieces.
13. Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper.
14. Place rabbit pieces in center of serving dish, pour sauce over and serve accompanied by the Eggplant Partafoglio.

whole rabbits, salt, freshly ground black pepper, flour, virgin olive oil, leeks, vin santo, tomato sauce, chicken stock

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/5209 (may not work)