Ingredients
1/4
cup plus 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1
(1/4-lb) piece pancetta (Italian unsmoked cured bacon), cut into 1/4-inch dice
1
tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
1
1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
1
(3-lb) rabbit, boned by butcher and meat cut into 1-inch pieces (1 1/2 lb boned)
1
cup light dry red wine such as Pinot Noir
1
(14-oz) can Italian plum tomatoes in juice, drained and chopped
1
1/4 tsp coarse gray sea salt
1/2
tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Directions
1.
Heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add sage and rosemary and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add rabbit and cook, stirring occasionally, until rabbit is no longer pink on outside, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add wine and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, sea salt, and pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
3.
Ragù can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered.
4.
Ragù can be made with 1 1/2 pounds boneless veal shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces, in a 6-quart wide heavy pot. Add veal to pot in place of rabbit and, after cooking until no longer pink on outside, add 4 cups water and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup and veal is very tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Proceed with recipe.
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