Maltese Rabbit Pie - Torta tal-Fenek
 
Cook time
Total time
 
A rabbit pie is a great recipe to try if you want to do something a little different with your rabbit other than making rabbit stew.
Author:
Cuisine: Maltese
Ingredients
  • 1 whole rabbit chopped
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • Small bunch of thyme leaves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 medium onions diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 carrots diced
  • 2 celery sticks diced
  • 4 small tomatoes chopped
  • 250 ml red or white wine
  • 450 grams peas
  • 500 grams shortcrust pastry
  • Lightly beaten egg
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil for frying
Instructions
  1. In a large frying pan fry the rabbit with the allspice, thyme leaves and bay leaves.
  2. Fry for about half an hour until the rabbit has been cooked. Remove and allow to cool.
  3. While you are waiting for the rabbit fry the onion and cloves for five minutes until browned.
  4. Add in the tomato paste and fry for a further 2 minutes.
  5. Add in the carrots and celery and fry for a further 10 minutes.
  6. While this is happening remove the rabbit meat from the bones and set aside.
  7. Add in the rabbit meat and fry for a further five minutes.
  8. Add in the tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add in the rabbit and the peas.
  9. Leave for about 10 minutes.
  10. While this is simmering prepare the pastry. Roll out the pastry and line a pie dish with about two thirds of the pastry so that some of the pastry hangs over the dish.
  11. Prick the base of the pie with a fork several times.
  12. Add in the rabbit mixture.
  13. Preheat the oven to about 220oC.
  14. Roll out the remaining pastry and cover the mixture. Seal the ends together.
  15. Prick the top of the pie several times with a fork. With a pastry brush paint the top of the pie with the beaten egg.
  16. Reduce the temperature to about 180oC.
  17. Place the pie in the oven and cook for about 45 minutes to an hour. Check to make sure that the pastry does not over brown.
Recipe by A Maltese Mouthful at https://www.amaltesemouthful.com/maltese-rabbit-pie-torta-tal-fenek-the-pie-that-almost-did-not-happen/