Creamy Rabbit & Mushroom Lasagna with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Category: Main Course

Servings: 6

This delightful Lasagna with Rabbit Ragù and Mushrooms is a comforting and luxurious dish that combines tender rabbit meat, savory mushrooms, and rich tomato sauce, layered between delicate sheets of pasta and creamy béchamel. A perfect blend of rustic and refined flavors, ideal for a family dinner or special occasion. Follow this detailed recipe for a homemade lasagna that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

For the Ragù:

For the Mushroom Layer:

For the Bechamel Sauce:

Preparation Instructions

Step 1: Marinating the Rabbit

1. Begin by preparing the rabbit for marinating. Cut the deboned rabbit into strips and then into cubes.
2. In a bowl, combine the rabbit with the roughly chopped onion, celery, sage leaves, rosemary sprigs, thyme, one garlic clove, black peppercorns, and crushed juniper berries.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This allows the rabbit to absorb the flavors of the aromatics.

Step 2: Making the Broth

1. While the rabbit marinates, prepare the broth. In a large pot, add the water, rabbit bones (reserved from deboning), onion, celery, and carrot. Season with a pinch of salt.
2. Bring to a simmer and cook on low heat for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to develop.

Step 3: Preparing the Mushrooms

1. Clean the mushrooms by trimming their stems and wiping them with a damp cloth.
2. Slice the mushrooms, then blanch them in boiling water for 15-20 minutes.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the mushrooms, season with salt, and cook for another 10 minutes until the mushrooms release their juices and soften. Set aside.

Step 4: Cooking the Rabbit Ragù

1. In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat and sauté a finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery along with garlic until the vegetables are softened.
2. Add the marinated rabbit meat to the pan and cook for 10-15 minutes until it is browned on all sides.
3. Deglaze the pan with white wine and let it evaporate completely.
4. Gradually add the rabbit broth to the pan, stirring occasionally. Cover the pan and cook for about 1 hour, adding broth as needed to keep the ragù moist.
5. Towards the end of cooking, wash and slice the cherry tomatoes and add them to the ragù along with the pitted Taggiasca olives. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, then turn off the heat.

Step 5: Preparing the Béchamel Sauce

1. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and whisk continuously to create a smooth roux. Cook for a couple of minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
3. Gradually pour in the milk while continuing to whisk, ensuring there are no lumps.
4. Cook the mixture over low heat until it thickens into a smooth, velvety sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to taste.

Step 6: Assembling the Lasagna

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (static) or 180°C (convection).
2. Lightly grease a 30×20 cm baking dish with olive oil.
3. Begin by spreading a thin layer of béchamel sauce at the bottom of the dish.
4. Place a layer of lasagna sheets over the béchamel, followed by a generous layer of rabbit ragù, a layer of mushrooms, and a sprinkle of grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
5. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of lasagna sheets covered in béchamel sauce, mushrooms, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes (or 20 minutes for convection) until the lasagna is bubbling and golden brown on top.

Step 7: Serving

1. Once the lasagna is cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
2. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips for Success

• For an even richer flavor, consider using a mix of wild mushrooms like porcini and shiitake.
• If you don’t have rabbit available, you can substitute it with chicken or turkey.
• Feel free to add more herbs, such as basil or oregano, to customize the flavor profile.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Enjoy this flavorful and hearty lasagna with the unique touch of rabbit and mushrooms, perfectly balanced with a creamy béchamel and rich ragù. A true feast for the senses!