First we have to get away from the image of cute little Thumper in the Walt Disney Classic, Bambi. Otherwise you will never be able to cook and enjoy this delicious meat.
Today Rabbit is farmed by farmers as a crop, just like pigs, or chickens, or turkeys. They are no longer cute little bunnies running around eating up the farmer’s vegetable profits.
When cooked, Rabbit has a similar texture and chewiness as Chicken, but the taste is a taste all of its own like any “Game Animal”.
Grilling Marinade:
1/4 Cup of Line Juice
1 Cup Port Wine
1/8 Cup Pure Olive Oil
1 & 1/2 Table Spoons Honey
3 Cloves Garlic (finely diced)
1/3 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Teaspoon Dried Mustard
1 Teaspoon Basil (fresh or dried)
1 Teaspoon Rosemary (fresh preferred)
Place all of these ingredients into an extra large “Freezer Bag
Using “Butcher’s Twine” tie the front and the rear legs to the body of the rabbit and then place your rabbit into the bag with your marinade mixture and shake thoroughly to ensure that all the rabbit gets coated.
For best results in flavor, refrigerate over night, or for a minimum of 2 hours prior to grilling.
You can either flat grill on your grill plate or as I prefer to do, Rotisserie Grill it.
Preparing to Grill:Preheat your BBQ Grill to a “Low” to “Med-Low” Heat, between 200 to 250 degrees F.
While your Grill is heating up, if you are going to Rotisserie your Rabbit, load the Rabbit onto your “Spit” Rotisserie cooking allows for even cooking all around as the rabbit rotates over the heat.
Once your Grill has reached the proper temperature, hook the “Spit” into your Rotisserie and switch it on.
To add a special crispiness to the outside of the meat, brush a little melted butter over the meat as it cooks.
Your cooking time will be approximately 1/2 an hour or until your “Meat Thermometer registers inner temperature of 160 Degrees F.
If you do not have a rotisserie unit, fear not.
Untie the legs of the Rabbit and lay it flat on your grill. Grill one side for about 15 minutes then turn grilling the other side for an additional 15 minutes, or until you reach a cooking temperature on your meat thermometer of 160 Degrees F.
Once your Rabbit has reached the desired temperature of 160 Degrees F. remove it from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes, to allow all the juciness to settle.
Since there is no light or dark meat like on a chicken that’s one less thing you have t consider when serving.
Your Ready to serve.