Wild Rabbit Ragu with Penne

Serves: 4

Difficulty: Medium

Preparation time: 25 mins

Cooking Time: 1 hours 10 mins

• 1 wild rabbit, all meat cut from bones
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 75g cubed smoked pancetta
• 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and finely grated
• 1 large stick of celery, washed then finely grated
• 1 medium onion, finely grated
• 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
• ¼ tsp dried chilli
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 tbsp tomato purée
• 1/3 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 200ml white wine
• 100 ml water
• 1 thumb size piece of Parmesan rind

To finish:

• 175g penne pasta
• ½ tsp salt
• Parmesan cheese

In a medium sized sauté pan heat the olive oil before adding the pancetta, it should sizzle gently when entering the pan. Cook it for 5 minutes before adding the grated vegetables, stir all together well.

Add the spices and the bay leaf, then cook for a further 5 minutes before adding the rabbit with the tomato purée. Stir altogether for a few minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.

Put a lid on the pan and simmer very gently for an hour. Note: Adding Parmesan rind will give the Ragu extra depth of flavour, but remove the rind before serving. Drop the penne pasta into boiling salted water and cook to your preference.

Drain and mix the penne through the Ragu, divide over 4 plates, adding a good grate of fresh Parmesan should you require it.