Quail is a delicious and versatile game bird that can be cooked in a variety of ways. When paired with chestnuts and raisins, quail takes on a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to please your taste buds. This classic dish can be prepared in a single skillet, making it a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The combination of tender quail meat, nutty chestnuts, and plump raisins creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
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QUAIL WITH CHESTNUTS AND RAISINS
You may not associate the Loire Valley with game, but the hunt, especially for birds, is important in that region of France. I had that in mind when I decided on a seasonal preparation for quail, dressed up with chestnuts, raisins, a shot of gingery heat and a splash of port. It would pair well with cabernet franc from the region.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place raisins in a bowl, add port and set aside. Season quail with salt and pepper. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in a large heavy skillet on medium-high. Add as many quail as will fit comfortably, breast side down. Sauté until breast is well browned. Transfer quail, breast side up, to a baking dish that can go to the table and continue sautéing until all the quail are browned. Quail can be slightly overlapping in the dish.
- Reduce heat in pan to medium-low, add shallot and ginger and sauté until soft. Add raisins with port and the chestnuts. Add stock. Let simmer about a minute. Check seasonings and pour over quail in the baking dish. Place thyme on top. Bake uncovered about 20 minutes for medium; timing can be adjusted according to taste.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 631, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 45 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 765 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SAUTEED QUAIL WITH RAISINS
Provided by Craig Claiborne
Categories dinner, main course
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Sprinkle quail on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat half of butter in skillet, with lid, large enough to hold opened quail in one layer without crowding. Add quail, breast side down, in skillet, and cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Cook about 1 minute on second side until golden.
- Scatter shallots around quail and cook briefly, stirring. Sprinkle with Cognac and add broth. Cover and let simmer about 8 minutes. Add grapes, cover and cook 2 minutes more.
- Transfer quail to warm platter. Let sauce cook down 2 minutes. Swirl in remaining butter. Return quail to sauce. Heat sauce briefly and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 749, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 48 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 22 grams, Sodium 1069 milligrams, Sugar 25 grams, TransFat 1 gram
ROAST QUAIL WITH GRAPES AND CHESTNUTS
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
- Remove and discard any feathers from quail, then remove necks if necessary with poultry shears and discard. Rinse quail inside and out and pat dry, then sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil and butter in a deep 12-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then brown quail on all sides, 12 to 15 minutes total. Transfer to a large plate.
- Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet, then sauté carrot, onion, and thyme over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 2 minutes.
- Return quail (with any juices on plate) to skillet with vegetables and roast, breast sides up, in oven until just cooked through (cut into an inner thigh; meat will still be slightly pink), about 10 minutes. Transfer quail to a platter and loosely cover with foil.
- Add Cognac to vegetables in skillet and boil 1 minute, then add broth and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Stir in crème fraîche and simmer until slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and discarding solids, then pour back into skillet. Add grapes and chestnuts and simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through and grapes turn a shade lighter, about 3 minutes. Transfer grapes and chestnuts to platter with quail, then boil sauce until thick enough to lightly coat back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, then spoon some sauce over quail and serve remainder on the side.
- *Available at specialty foods shops, D'Artagnan (800-327-8246), and Cavendish Game Birds (802-885-1183).
- **Available at specialty foods shops and some supermarkets.
BAKED QUAIL
This is the essential game-bird hunter's recipe. If you've never had quail, they are very mild white meat, all breast, really. In any case, this is a tasty recipe that easily deals with a good brace of birds. You could use this recipe for 2 or 3 (thawed) Cornish Game hens if you increase the baking time to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Provided by Bone Man
Categories Quail
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Pre-heat the oven to 325-degrees F.
- If the quail have been shot in the wild, inspect them all for lead shot, removing any shot with tweezers or the point of a paring knife.
- Lightly rub all the quail, inside and out with the seasoned salt.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the mushrooms, bread crumbs, and table salt until the mushrooms tenderize a bit. Stuff the quail with this mixture.
- Using the same skillet, make a roux by pouring in the olive oil and browning the flour in it. Then, add the chicken stock, scallions, red pepper, and parsley to the roux and saute the mix for about 5 minutes, until the onions are tender.
- Next, spray a baking pan or large casserole dish with cooking spray and place the stuffed quail in it. Pour the sauce over the quail.
- Baked, uncovered, at 325-degrees F. for 45 minutes, basting 2 or 3 times during the baking process.
- Serve two quail to a person and garnish each plate with two orange slices. Serve cooked white rice as a side dish.
Tips:
- Choose small to medium-sized quails: This will ensure that they cook evenly and quickly.
- Season the quails well: Use a combination of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices to flavor the birds.
- Brown the quails before braising: This will help develop their flavor and give them a nice golden-brown color.
- Use a flavorful braising liquid: The liquid should be flavorful enough to infuse the quails with flavor, but not so strong that it overpowers the delicate taste of the birds.
- Add vegetables and fruit to the braising liquid: This will add additional flavor and nutrients to the dish.
- Braise the quails until they are tender: The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the quails, but they should be cooked until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.
Conclusion:
Quail with chestnuts and raisins is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is sure to please even the most discerning palate. If you are looking for a unique and flavorful recipe, then this is the one for you!
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