Smoked Quail with Port Dressing and Cauliflower Salad

Home-smoked quail served with a rich port reduction, crisp cauliflower salad, walnuts, and fresh oak leaf lettuce.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 710.3 kcals 1420.5 kcals
Carbohydrates 42.4 grams 84.8 grams
Fat 44.3 grams 88.6 grams
Protein 36.2 grams 72.4 grams
Cook Time
25 mins
Produces
2 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
2
tbsp
Brown Sugar
For smoking mix
Dairy
25
g
Unsalted Butter
For pan frying
Fruits
1
piece
Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed to taste
GrainsCereals
6
tbsp
Rice
For smoking mix
Liquids
250
ml
Red Wine
For dressing
250
ml
Port
For dressing
Meat
2
piece
Quail
Whole
NutsSeeds
30
g
Walnut
Halves
2
piece
Cinnamon Stick
For smoking mix
25
g
Lapsang Souchong Tea
Loose tea for smoking
1
piece
Star Anise
For smoking mix
6
sprig
Thyme
For smoking mix
1
piece
Cinnamon Stick
For dressing accompaniment
4
piece
OilsFats
2
tsp
Olive Oil
For rubbing quail
Vegetables
1
piece
Banana Shallot
Finely chopped
2
floret
Cauliflower
Thinly sliced using mandolin
1
head
Oak Leaf Lettuce
Leaves picked
4
piece
Spring Onion
White parts only, sliced at an angle

Steps

  • Debone the quails by removing the back bone, rib cage, breast bone, and leg/wing bones while flattening them.
  • Combine the smoking mix ingredients in a foil-lined wok and heat until smoking.
  • Place quails on a rack inside the wok and smoke with the lid on for 5 minutes.
  • Simmer red wine, port, shallot, and cinnamon in a pan until reduced by three-quarters, then strain.
  • Squeeze lemon juice over sliced cauliflower, drain, and set aside.
  • Rub quail with oil and sear skin-side down in a hot pan until crisp.
  • Turn quail over, add butter and walnuts, baste for 2-3 minutes, then rest and carve into four pieces.
  • Deglaze the frying pan with port dressing, coat the quail in the glaze, then remove quail and strain sauce.
  • Plate the lettuce, walnuts, spring onions, cauliflower, and quail, then drizzle with remaining dressing.