Rabbit with Shallots and Roasted Garlic
·Prepare the rabbit for roasting
Clean the rabbit and, if you like, cut it into portions – or leave it whole, it's up to you. Arrange the rabbit pieces (or the whole rabbit) in a roasting pan, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Add the bacon
If you like, you can lard the meat with chunks of streaky bacon. If not, simply cut thicker slices and lay them over the rabbit, tucking the rest into the pan around it. Add a splash of water, or better still, stock.
Add the shallots and garlic
Place the garlic heads into the pan, sliced in half lengthways, along with the peeled shallots cut in half.
Roast
Cover the roasting pan with a lid and put it in the oven. Roast at full heat for about half an hour, then lower the temperature to around 170°C and continue roasting until the meat is tender. Mashed potatoes make a wonderful side dish.