Pappardelle alla Lepre. Pappardelle with Hare Sauce

AuthoradminCategory, DifficultyAdvanced
Yields4 Servings
Prep Time30 minsCook Time2 hrsTotal Time2 hrs 30 mins
 1 Hare (or rabbit), jointed
 3 tbsp Olive oil
 100 g Pancetta, diced
 2 Carrots, finely chopped
 2 Celery stalks, finely chopped
 1 Onion, finely chopped
 2 Garlic cloves, minced
 1 cup Red wine
 2 tbsp Tomato paste
 400 g Canned chopped tomatoes
 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
 1 stick Fresh rosemary
 1 stick Fresh thyme
 1 Bay leaf
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Pappardelle:
 400 g Pappardelle pasta
 Salt for the pasta water
To Serve:
 Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
 Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino cheese for serving
1

Prepare the Hare: If not already done by your butcher, joint the hare into manageable pieces. Season with salt and pepper.

2

Brown the Hare: In a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the hare pieces and brown on all sides. Remove the hare and set aside.

3

Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the pancetta and cook until it starts to render fat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

4

Deglaze: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer until the wine has reduced by half.

5

Cook the Hare: Return the hare to the pan. Stir in the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Add the broth, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the hare is tender and the sauce has thickened.

6

Shred the Meat: Once the hare is cooked, remove it from the sauce. When cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bones and return it to the sauce. Discard the bones.

7

Cook the Pappardelle: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pappardelle until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving some pasta water.

8

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the pappardelle with the hare sauce, adding a little pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

9

Serve: Plate the pappardelle and sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino cheese.

To Serve:
10

Pappardelle alla Lepre is best served immediately while hot. The dish pairs well with a full-bodied red wine, such as a Chianti or Barolo, which complements the rich flavors of the sauce. Enjoy a taste of the Italian countryside with this traditional and comforting meal.

Ingredients

 1 Hare (or rabbit), jointed
 3 tbsp Olive oil
 100 g Pancetta, diced
 2 Carrots, finely chopped
 2 Celery stalks, finely chopped
 1 Onion, finely chopped
 2 Garlic cloves, minced
 1 cup Red wine
 2 tbsp Tomato paste
 400 g Canned chopped tomatoes
 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
 1 stick Fresh rosemary
 1 stick Fresh thyme
 1 Bay leaf
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Pappardelle:
 400 g Pappardelle pasta
 Salt for the pasta water
To Serve:
 Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
 Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino cheese for serving

Directions

1

Prepare the Hare: If not already done by your butcher, joint the hare into manageable pieces. Season with salt and pepper.

2

Brown the Hare: In a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the hare pieces and brown on all sides. Remove the hare and set aside.

3

Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the pancetta and cook until it starts to render fat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

4

Deglaze: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer until the wine has reduced by half.

5

Cook the Hare: Return the hare to the pan. Stir in the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Add the broth, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the hare is tender and the sauce has thickened.

6

Shred the Meat: Once the hare is cooked, remove it from the sauce. When cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bones and return it to the sauce. Discard the bones.

7

Cook the Pappardelle: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pappardelle until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving some pasta water.

8

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the pappardelle with the hare sauce, adding a little pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

9

Serve: Plate the pappardelle and sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino cheese.

To Serve:
10

Pappardelle alla Lepre is best served immediately while hot. The dish pairs well with a full-bodied red wine, such as a Chianti or Barolo, which complements the rich flavors of the sauce. Enjoy a taste of the Italian countryside with this traditional and comforting meal.

Pappardelle alla Lepre. Pappardelle with Hare Sauce
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