Take a bite out of New Zealand

This week we are visiting New Zealand to prepare Rabbit Pie.

• RABBIT PIE

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless rabbit meat, cut into small pieces

2 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes

4 garlic cloves

3 sage leaves

2 bay leaves

1 rosemary sprig

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup dry white wine

Pinch fresh ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons pine nuts

Salt and pepper

Uncooked pie crust, see cook's notes

Cook's notes: You may use store-bought pie crust or, if you prefer, you can make your own crust from scratch by mixing 1 cup flour, a pinch of baking powder, 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening and 3 tablespoons cold water.

Putting it together

In a large sauté pan, heat some oil over medium heat; add whole bay leaves, rosemary, sage and garlic and stir until the garlic is golden. Remove the herbs and garlic to a small dish and set aside.

Increase heat to high and add rabbit meat (dusted in flour); sauté until golden. Add wine and season with pepper, nutmeg and salt; let simmer for one minute, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in chopped tomatoes, herbs and garlic and pine nuts. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and gently simmer stew for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the rabbit pieces are no longer pink in the center.

If the sauce is thin, transfer meat to a serving dish and cover to keep warm. Simmer the remaining sauce over high heat until it is slightly thickened; remove and discard bay leaves and return rabbit to the sauce.

To make the pie: Spoon rabbit stew mixture into either a large pie dish or smaller dishes. Cut pastry into the required size(s). Brush edges of the dish(es) with beaten egg. (This will seal the pastry to the dish.) Carefully place the pastry on top. Cut a small hole in the pastry to allow steam to escape and bake at 350 degrees until pastry is golden brown.

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Next week, we will fly to South America and visit Bolivia to prepare Aji de Lengua, or Spicy Beef Tongue.

Antonio Villagomez is head chef and owner of Cilantro's restaurant and catering in Yuba City. Contact him at 844-2111.