Fried Quail With Spicy Salt Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Dry and pick quail.
• 2. Clean and wipe thoroughly.
• 3. Salt, pepper, and dredge with flour.
• 4. Have a deep frying pan with a close-fitting lid 1/2 full of hot fat.
• 5. Put in quail.
• 6. Cook for a few minutes over high, the cover skillet and reduce heat.
• 7. Cook slowly until tender, turning the quail when golden brown.
• 8. Great served with cheese grits!

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, pierce each quail through the breastbone, and flatten out the bird with the palm of your hand. Score down both sides of the spine and remove the backbone.
• Add the sesame seeds, cumin and 2 teaspoons sea salt to a small frying pan over medium heat. Toast the spiced salt mixture, stirring frequently, until the sesame seeds are fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Preheat a barbecue grill plate to high heat.
• Brush each quail evenly with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill the quail, skin side down, until the outside is crisp and the interior is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle each quail with a dash of the spiced salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Steps:

• Check quail for any stray bone fragments or feathers. If there are V-shaped grilling pins protruding (these shape the partly boned birds), leave them in place. Rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
• In small skillet or saute pan, combine salt, peppercorns, star anise and cinnamon. Place over high heat, and stir or shake until peppercorns begin to smoke. Set aside, and allow to cool.
• Place soy sauce in mixing bowl, add quail, and turn until they are lightly coated. Sprinkle the salt mixture (avoid the whole spices) sparingly inside the quail, and somewhat liberally outside. Put quail on a rack to dry at room temperature for 1 hour.
• While quail are drying, remove whole spices (peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon) from the salt, and grind them in spice grinder to a coarse powder. Add all of the remaining salt to the powder, and continue to process until finely ground. Transfer mixture to small serving bowl. Add sugar, and mix well. Set aside.
• In large, wide saucepan over medium-high heat, add peanut oil to a depth of at least 2 inches, and heat to about 375 degrees. Add quail, in batches if necessary, and fry until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Remove, and drain on paper towels.
• To serve, remove grilling pins. Use large chef's knife or cleaver to cut each bird in half lengthwise and then diagonally under each thigh. The meat should be slightly pink. Arrange on large platter, and garnish with coriander sprigs. Pass the ground seasoned salt separately for dipping.