Canada's Agriculture Day - Smoked Rabbit Tacos

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This year, we challenged chefs to create a recipe that celebrates the unique local food scene in their region. We will be sharing their recipes, local inspiration and connections to local food in their region throughout Canada’s Agriculture Day.

Join in the celebration by sharing the recipes, posting one of your own, or any other creative way you would like to appreciate Canadian agriculture and use the hashtag #CdnAgDay #NWTag

For more information about Canada’s Agriculture Day, visit: https://agriculturemorethanever.ca/cdn-ag-day/

Find more recipes from other regions below:

Battered Trout with Dill Bechamel Sauce - Sahtu

Caribou Celebration Dinner - Beaufort Delta

Moose Short Ribs with Cranberry Bannock - Dehcho

Bison Tenderloin - South Slave

Smoked Rabbit Tacos

NORTH SLAVE REGION

Photo Credit: Kaitlyn WhiteKeyes

ABOUT THE CHEF

Name of Chef: Kaitlyn WhiteKeyes

Name of Business: Ever Sweet Company, Yellowknife NT

“Through my company I offer small-batch artisanal caramels, traditional candies, and locally crafted treats. I am passionate about locally sourced food, I am an award-winning culinary professional, as well as, having graduated NAIT’s Culinary Arts program with honours in Alberta. The connection I feel to the community drives me to excel when representing my skills both in the kitchen and throughout my life.

I am constantly inspired by the Denendeh and the resources accessible in the North. Despite its reputation for "barren ground", we live in a bountiful part of the country and I love showcasing that to the rest of Turtle Island. 

I'm honoured to present my Smoked Rabbit Tacos dish to celebrate our land and Canada’s Agriculture Day.

Kinanâskomitin, Chef WhiteKeyes”

RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

Tortillas

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ tablespoon lard

¾ cup water

 

Marinade

180 grams Barren Ground Coffee beans ground and brewed

Northern Brown Sugar (2 tablespoons white sugar + 1 tablespoon sapsucker birch syrup)

3 tablespoons Madeline Lake Market Garden Salt + 1 tablespoon to season

2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

5 garlic cloves

2 bay leaves

1 orange, juice and zest

Cherry or Applewood Smoking Chips, roughly 6-8 cups

 

Toppings

1 skinned rabbit (3 lbs)

3 carrots, shredded

1 red onion, sliced thin

1 bunch cilantro, rough chopped

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 lime, juiced

 

Process

Marinade Procedures

Whether slowly braising or smoking meat, marinating is beneficial to tenderize and optimize flavour. Use half a cup of marinade per pound of meat.

  1. Combine marinade ingredients.
  2. Soak the rabbit in marinade overnight or for at lease 6 hours (in the refrigerator).

Smoking Procedures

Rabbit is a delicious lean meat that we’ve smoked for millennia; trust and love this ancient process.

  1. Remove rabbit from marinade and dry off with a paper towel.
  2. Preheat a smoker to 200⁰F and smoke for 3 hours.
  3. Cover tightly with foil, and smoke again until the internal temperature reaches 160⁰F.
  4. Remove and let rest.
  5. Slice meat, set aside.

Tortilla Procedure

Homemade Tortillas are a taco night game changer – worth venturing into this delicate yet durable fry bread, if you haven’t yet.

  1. Mix flour, salt and baking powder to evenly distribute dry ingredients.
  2. Using your hands, rub in lard to create a wet sand-like texture.
  3. Take a wooden spoon and mix in water until smooth.
  4. Divide dough into 12 small balls.
  5. Using a rolling pin, smooth into thin disks.
  6. Over medium high heat, fry dough until both sides are a light golden, one at a time. Some darker spots are normal.

Assembling Procedure

Get creative! Add whatever toppings you and your family enjoy.

  1. Combine carrots, red onions, cilantro and mayonnaise to create a slaw, season to taste.
  2. Top tortillas with sliced smoked rabbit meat and slaw.
  3. Finish with a squeeze of lime and enjoy!

WHERE TO FIND LOCAL FOOD IN THE NORTH SLAVE REGION

There are lots of places in the North Slave Region to purchase local food. The ingredients in this recipe were sourced from:

  • Barren Ground Coffee: Guatemala Nueva Armenia Estate Huehuetenango
  • Madeline Lake Gardens: Garden Salt
  • Arctic Harvest: Sapsucker locally harvested birch syrup
  • Northern Fancy Meats: Butchery
  • LeRefuge Farm: Vegetables & herbs (seasonally available)

Where do you purchase local food in the North Slave? Help us share and promote northern agriculture!