Southern Steamed Quail Recipes

SOUTHERN-FRIED QUAIL WITH BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix the 100ml buttermilk, cumin and a large pinch of salt together in a bowl. Put the quail halves in the buttermilk mix so they are completely covered, then chill for at least 6 hrs or overnight.
• To make the dressing, beat the mayonnaise, buttermilk, cheese and celery salt together - don't worry if it's not totally smooth. Keep chilled.
• When ready to cook, mix all the spiced flour ingredients together. Heat a deep-fat fryer or a deep pan with sunflower oil to 175C. Remove the quail from the fridge, then dip each half in the spiced our and carefully drop them in the fryer.
• Fry for about 6 mins until golden and crisp, then drain on kitchen paper and leave to rest for 2 mins or so. Pile onto a large serving plate, put the blue cheese sauce on the side for dipping, and scatter over the celery leaves, if you like.

SOUTHERN STUFFED QUAIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• In a bowl, mix the pork, parsley, carrots, celery, garlic, bread crumbs, and pepper.
• Arrange the quail in a baking dish. Separate the skin from the breast of each quail, and stuff with equal amounts of the stuffing mixture. Brush with bacon drippings.
• Broil the quail 7 minutes on each side in the preheated oven, or to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

SOUTHERN STYLE PIG TAILS

Steps:

• Place the pig tails in a large stock pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, and clean the pot of any debris, then return the tails to the pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil again, and season with onion, red pepper flakes and salt. Boil for about 2 hours, or until the tails are almost falling apart.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil.
• Drain the pig tails, and place them on the roasting pan. The stock from the tails may be used to cook turnip greens, cabbage or black-eye peas.
• Roast the tails for 30 to 40 minutes, until the tails pop and sizzle and the skin browns. Take care when opening the oven door. Allow the tails to cool, and serve with your favorite side dishes.

SMOTHERED QUAIL OR DOVE

Steps:

• Note: 12 doves can be substituted for the 6 quail.
• Season the quail with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in a heavy skillet and brown the quail.
• Remove the quail to a baking dish.
• Add flour to the butter in the skillet and stir to combine.
• Slowly add the chicken broth, sherry, salt and pepper.
• Mix well and pour over the quail.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes - 1 hour or until the quail are done.
• This is very good served over rice with some homemade biscuits.

SOUTHERN PAN-FRIED QUAIL WITH GRITS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the buttermilk, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the quail; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Drain and discard marinade., In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and remaining salt and pepper. Coat quail with flour mixture., In a large skillet, cook quail in oil in batches over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Drain on paper towels. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm., For gravy, stir flour into pan drippings until blended; cook and stir for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually add the cream, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, prepare grits according to package directions. Add the cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cream cheese is melted and grits are heated through. Serve with quail and gravy; sprinkle with bacon and green onions if desired.

SOUTHERN STYLE BARBECUED QUAIL

Steps:

• Split quails by snipping up the backbone with kitchen shears. Flatten them and place in a dish.
• Mix buttermilk with 3/4 teaspoon Tabasco and pour over the quails, coating them well. Cover and refrigerate overnight, up to 24 hours.
• Preheat grill or broiler. Remove quails from the marinade and place onion slices in marinade. Grill or broil quails close to the source of heat until lightly browned, three to five minutes on each side. As soon as the quails are done, grill the onion slices a minute or two on each side until lightly browned.
• Arrange the onions on a platter and top each with a quail. Mix the vinegar with a few drops of Tabasco, sprinkle over the quail and serve.