Preparation time
overnight
Cooking time
30 mins to 1 hour
Serves
Serves 4
By Andi OliverIngredients
For the Southern-fried rabbit
- 500ml/18fl oz buttermilk or yoghurt
- 4 tbsp paprika
- 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 6 boneless rabbit thighs
- 150g/5½oz self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 free-range eggs, beaten
- 30ml/1fl oz full-fat milk
- 800g/1lb 12oz panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 450g/1lb lard
- 200g/7oz unsalted butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tsp capers
- 1 tbsp chopped flatleaf parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 lime, juice and zest
- 25ml/1fl oz cold pressed rapeseed oil
- salt
To serve
- 400g/14oz heritage tomatoes, sliced
- 1 iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
- 8 slices bread
- butter, for spreading
Method
To make the Southern-fried rabbit, place the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of the paprika and the garlic in a bowl and mix well with some salt and pepper. Add the rabbit and coat well, then cover and place in the fridge overnight.
Mix together the self-raising flour with the cornflour, 1 tablespoon of the paprika and some salt and pepper in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix the eggs with the milk.
Mix the breadcrumbs with the turmeric, the remaining paprika, garlic powder and cayenne pepper in a third bowl.
Remove the rabbit from the marinade and dip each piece into the flour mixture, then the egg and milk and then the breadcrumbs. Place on a plate and in the fridge for an hour to set.
When ready to cook, melt the lard and butter in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan. Heat to 180C (a cube of bread should turn brown in one minute when dropped in.) CAUTION: Hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.
Fry the rabbit a couple of pieces at a time until golden-brown and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper.
To make the dressing, place the garlic and capers in a pestle and mortar and pound, then add the herbs and a pinch of salt and pound again. Add the maple syrup, lime juice, and olive oil and mix well.
To serve, toast 8 slices of bread and spread with butter, lay a lettuce leaf on one piece of bread and top with the rabbit and some tomatoes. Drizzle with the dressing and top with another slice of bread.