Rabbit Pâté in Hazelnut Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 whole rabbit, deboned
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large skillet, cook the rabbit over medium heat until browned on all sides. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
4. Add the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf and sauté for another minute.
5. Add the brandy and stir until the liquid has evaporated by half.
6. Remove the bay leaf and transfer the mixture to a blender. Add the rabbit, heavy cream, and butter. Blend until smooth.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and spread the chopped hazelnuts around the bottom and sides of the pan.
9. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut off any excess pastry so that the pastry fits snugly against the hazelnuts in the pan.
10. Spread the rabbit mixture over the pastry and smooth out the surface.
11. Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg.
12. Take another sheet of puff pastry and roll it out to fit over the top of the rabbit mixture.
13. Place the pastry on top of the filling and press the edges of the top and bottom pastry layers together to seal.
14. Brush the top with beaten egg and cut slits into the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape.
15. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.
16. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

Serving Suggestions:

This rabbit pâté is an elegant and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a fancy dinner party. Serve it as an appetizer with toasted baguette slices or as a main course accompanied by a green salad.

Verdict:

This rabbit pâté is a delightful combination of rich, creamy flavor and nutty crunch. The hazelnut crust adds a lovely texture and depth of flavor to the dish, while the rabbit filling is smooth and creamy. It’s a dish that is sure to impress your guests and is worth the time and effort to make.