Mr. Pat’s Famous Smothered Rabbit

MR. PAT’S FAMOUS SMOTHERED RABBIT
3 rabbits, cut into quarters, seasoned with red and black pepper, salt, garlic powder
Whole garlic cloves, enough to stuff each leg
2 sticks oleo
1 (16-oz.) container of chopped onion mix
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (8-oz.) carton sliced mushrooms
Good quality cane syrup
1 (6-oz.) can mushroom steak sauce
2-3 T. minced garlic
Chopped green onions, garnish
Salt, red/black pepper

1. Cut rabbits into quarters. Stuff the legs with whole garlic cloves. Season all the rabbits with salt, red/black pepper and garlic powder.
2. Melt the oleo in large Dutch oven pot.
3. Brown the rabbits until golden brown on all sides.
4. Remove rabbits and drain on paper towels.
5. Pour off excess grease in pot.
6. Place pot back over medium heat.
7. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers and saute until soft.
8. Add the minced garlic and mushrooms and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add the mushroom steak sauce and blend in.
9. Drizzle cane syrup all over the onion mixture in pot and saute for 1-2 minutes.
10. Add the rabbits back.
11. Add enough water to come ¾ the way up the pot. Just barely covering the rabbits.
12. Cover and place in 400 degree oven and cook for 1-2 hours or until tender.
13. If not tender and the water has cooked way down, add a little more water.
14. Turn the top of the pot to have a crack in it to allow some of the steam to release.
15. When tender, remove from oven. Garnish with chopped green onions. Taste gravy for any additional seasoning, if needed.
16. Serve over rice or egg noodles.