Pan Roasted Quail

* Exported from MasterCook *

Pan Roasted Quail

Recipe By : Food and Wine - Dec 93
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Poultry

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
12 Quail
12 Pancetta -- thinly sliced
12 Fresh sage leaves
2 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 Cup Dry white wine
Polenta or mashed potatoes, for serving

1. Wash the quail thouroughly inside and out, then place them in a
large colander to drain for at least 20 minutes.

2. Pat the quail dry. Stuff the cavity of each bird with 1 slice of
pancetta and 1 sage leaf.

3. Put the butter and oil in a large heavy skillet on high heat.
When the fat is hot, add all the quail in a single layer and cook
until browned on one side. Graduall turn them and continue cooking
until they are evenly browned all over. Sprinkle the quail with salt
and pepper, then add the white wine and turn the birds once.

4. Let the wine bubble for about 1 minute, then lower the heat to
moderate and partially cover the pan. Cook the quail until the meat
feels very tender when poked with a fork and comes away from the bone,
45 minutes to 1 hour. Check from time to time that there is
sufficient juices in the pan to keep the birds from sticking; if not
add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. When the quail are done, transfer
them to a warmed serving platter.

5. Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet. Boil over high heat,
scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any
cooking residues, until the water boils away and only a few drops of
dark pan juices for each bird remain. Pour the juices over the quail
and serve with polenta or mashed potatoes.

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